French word

lourdement

Pronunciation

IPA/luʁdəmɑ̃/

Meaning

  • adverbseverely

Example

Il a été lourdement blessé dans l'accident.

He was severely injured in the accident.

Illustration for lourdement (severely)

More examples

Elle respirait lourdement après la course.

She was breathing heavily after the race.

Core concept

A heavy force pressing on a body or situation.

Common phrases

  • respirer lourdement

    breathe heavily

  • tomber lourdement

    fall heavily

Similar words

très: To a very high degree.
gravement: In a deeply serious or severe way.
sérieusement: In a way requiring serious thought or action.
terriblement: To an extremely severe or intense degree.

Definition in French

Exprime une grande intensité ou gravité, souvent employé pour des blessures, des peines ou des conséquences.

Word origin

French lourdement is formed from lourd through its feminine form lourde and the adverbial suffix -ment.

Usage tips

  • With injuries or penalties, gravement often states seriousness more directly, while lourdement emphasizes the severity or scale of the effect.

Other meanings

  • heavilyadverb

Opposites

Related words

  • lourdheavyadjective
  • lourdeurheavinessnoun

Word lists with this word