heap
A lot. A big amount of something, or very much.
Also called a heap of, heaps.
Updated September 24, 2026
heap pronunciation
/HEEP/
Meaning
In redneck and Southern talk, a heap is not always a literal pile. A heap of folks means many people. Helped a heap means helped a lot. You can like somebody a heap, owe a heap of money, or catch a heap of fish. It stretches past a stack of stuff into plain old plenty.
How folks use it
- “There's a heap of trucks parked down at the feed store.”
- “I appreciate that a heap. You didn't have to.”
Origin and etymology
Old English heap meant a pile. Southern and South Midland speech kept using it for a large number or a great deal. Dictionary of American Regional English marks that sense as chiefly South and South Midland. Scotch-Irish talk had the same "a heap o'" habit.
Frequently asked questions
Does heap always mean a pile?
Not in this talk. Often it just means a lot, whether you can stack it or not.