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Babyfish
Is it the same to say "heartwarming" and "heart-warming"?
are these two words the same? or do they have different meanings?
"heartwarming" and "heart-warming"?
I want to use the word that means that something is "emotionally moving, pleasing and gratifying"
Jan 10, 2017 11:03 PM
Answers · 11
1
I think they mean exactly the same thing. English words seem to follow a regular pattern of evolution, in which compound words tend to lose their hyphens over time. To me (as a US speaker) "heart-warming" looks slightly old-fashioned. Where did you see it? I have a little bet with myself that it was published before 1920.
Added: Having checked the American Heritage dictionary and OxfordDictionaries online, I lose my bet with myself. Rene is right. "Heart-warming" is British, "Heartwarming" is US. Make your choice accordingly.
January 10, 2017
1
while different dictionaries seem to give slightly different definitions for the two, I think they are the same and that the difference is just "heartwarming" being more US and "heart-warming" British English.
January 10, 2017
I've only used and seen heartwarming. Heart-warming looks like something from the American Victorian era.
January 10, 2017
They mean the same thing, in my opinion it looks better to write it "heart-warming” than “heartwarming” but that's just an opinion.
January 10, 2017
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Babyfish
Language Skills
English, French, Italian, Spanish
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English, French, Italian
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