openhearted

Openhearted is an adjective describing a person who is openly feeling and freely expresses warmth, kindness, and sincerity toward others. An openhearted individual is often generous, approachable, and willing to share emotions or to extend trust and connection.

Etymology: The word combines open and hearted, with hearted deriving from the metaphor of the heart as the seat of emotion. The hyphenated form open-hearted is common, while openhearted as a closed compound appears in some modern uses.

Usage: Openhearted is used to describe people, characters in literature, or communities marked by emotional openness and hospitality. It can convey genuine warmth without affectation, differentiating from reserved or cynical attitudes. In self-descriptions, it signals a welcoming and empathetic orientation.

See also: warm-hearted, big-hearted, open-minded, generosity, empathy.