heartless

Heartless is an adjective that can describe literal absence of a heart or, more commonly, a lack of compassion or pity. In everyday language, a person who is described as heartless is considered unfeeling or cruel. The term is frequently used metaphorically to express moral or emotional detachment rather than a medical condition.

Etymology and usage: Heartless is formed from the word heart plus the suffix -less, meaning without. It has been used in English since the Middle Ages to convey both physical and figurative senses, with the figurative meaning becoming prevalent in modern literature and discourse.

In fiction and popular culture: The term is widely used as a character concept or descriptor. In the Kingdom Hearts video game series, Heartless are creatures born from the darkness in people’s hearts; they vary in appearance and behavior and are among the central antagonists that characters must confront. The idea of heartlessness also appears in storytelling to characterize antagonists who act without empathy or mercy, or to symbolize emotional barriers a character must overcome.

Music and media usage: Heartless is a common title for songs and other media. Notable examples include Kanye West’s song Heartless from the 808s & Heartbreak album and The Weeknd’s later song also titled Heartless, released in 2019. These works use the concept to explore themes of emotional coldness, detachment, or the experience of love and loss.

See also: merciless, unsympathetic, callous. The term remains a versatile descriptor across literature, media, and everyday language.