AT HEART

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does at heart mean? 

• AT HEART (adverb)
  The adverb AT HEART has 1 sense:

1. in reality

  Familiarity information: AT HEART used as an adverb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• AT HEART (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

In reality

Synonyms:

at bottom; at heart; deep down; in spite of appearance; inside

Context example:

she is very kind at heart

 Context examples 

I said nothing in reply, but turned my face to the wall, sick at heart, with my mind filled with a thousand venomous doubts and suspicions.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Earnest young men found the gray-headed scholar as young at heart as they; thoughtful or troubled women instinctively brought their doubts to him, sure of finding the gentlest sympathy, the wisest counsel.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

I am doubtful whether I was at heart glad or sorry, when my school-days drew to an end, and the time came for my leaving Doctor Strong's.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

I am afraid I am at heart a coward, for I shrieked out.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

I presently knew what they meant, and was glad at heart to receive this intelligence.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

With a shrug of the shoulders, but with the warmest admiration and pride at heart for this woman, I equipped her with the broken oar and took another for myself.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

He is not a very quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, sound at heart.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Thoughtless and indiscreet I can easily believe him, but this step (and let us rejoice over it) marks nothing bad at heart.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

It makes me feel sick and heavy at heart.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

But I’ll humour you. (All this in little gasps, with terrible struggles for breath between.) You’ve only my own good at heart.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)