at heart

phrase

: in essence : basically, essentially
a romantic at heart

Examples of at heart in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
And unless someone shows you otherwise, trust that this editor has your best interests at heart. — Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2026 Experts urge parents to listen to pediatricians, who have the best interests of their kids at heart. — Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026 This idea is, of course, very simple at heart, but the beauty lies in the execution. — Kevin Kruse, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026 However, the new chair repeatedly stressed his commitment to meeting the Fed’s inflation target, and many Wall Street observers took him to be an inflation hawk at heart. — John Cassidy, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for at heart

Word History

First Known Use

1735, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of at heart was in 1735

Rhymes for at heart

See All Rhymes for at heart

Browse Nearby Words

athbash
at heart
Athecae
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“At heart.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/at%20heart. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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