Learn English – Is “heartfelt” reserved for sad moments, or can it be used for happy ones

adjectivesmeaning-in-contextword-choiceword-usage

I'm writing an email about something nice (a newborn child), and was about to use the word "heartfelt". Just then, I noticed I may have heard the word almost exclusively in the context of a sad situation (condolence).

Is there a good reason for my hesitation, or is "heartfelt" appropriate in either situation? If not, what's a better choice of a word? How about "heartily"?

Best Answer

"Heartfelt" can be used to express positive feelings:

Her joy was truly heartfelt!

You have our heartfelt thanks.

But it is most commonly associated with sorrow or grief. When in doubt, choose a different word.

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