adverb
in reality (Freq. 2)
-
she is very kind at heart
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DEEP DOWN, basically, fundamentally, essentially, in essence, intrinsically; really, actually, truly, in fact; informal when you get right down to it.
→ heart
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at heart
1. In one's real character
2. Substantially
• • •
Main Entry: ↑heart
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at heart phrase
used for saying what someone’s basic character is
I’m really a country person at heart.
Thesaurus: words used to describe someone's personalityhyponym general words for a person's charactersynonym
Main entry: heart
* * *
in one's real nature, in contrast to how one may appear
he's a good guy at heart
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at heart
1 : at the most basic level
I'm really a romantic at heart.
She's 81 years old, but she's still young at heart. [=she behaves and thinks like a much younger person]
2 : as a main concern
We have your best interests at heart. [=we want to do what is best for you]
• • •
Main Entry: ↑heart
* * *
at ˈheart idiom
used to say what sb is really like even though they may seem to be sth different
•
He's still a socialist at heart.
Useful english dictionary. 2012.