What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ponderous
Example
The elephant's ponderous steps shook the ground. [ponderous: adjective]
Example
The lecture was so ponderous that many people fell asleep. [ponderous: adjective]
heavy
Example
The box was too heavy for me to carry alone. [heavy: adjective]
Example
The news of her father's death weighed heavy on her heart. [heavy: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Heavy is a more common word than ponderous in everyday language. Heavy is used in a wide range of contexts, from describing physical objects to abstract concepts, while ponderous is less common and more likely to be used in formal or literary contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between ponderous and heavy?
Ponderous is a more formal word than heavy. It is often used in academic or literary contexts to describe something that is slow, dull, or pompous. Heavy, on the other hand, is a more versatile word that can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
