heart and soul

Meanings

nounheart and soul (uncountable)

uncountableThe core of a thing; the most essential or important part.
The heart and soul of any democracy is its electorate.
Synonyms: crux, gist, bowels, sum, brass tacks, core, crux, essence
uncountablePassion; true commitment.
She put her heart and soul into the project.
1 more example
“I’m not going anywhere,” Mr. Biden said. “I know yesterday’s news was surprising and hard for you to hear,” he went on, “but it was the right thing to do. I know it’s hard because you poured your heart and soul into me to help us win this thing.”
2024 July 22, Peter Baker, quoting Joe Biden, “Biden Vows to Campaign Hard for Harris, Saying, ‘I’m Not Going Anywhere’”, in The New York Times, →ISSN

adverbheart and soul (not comparable)

nounThe core of a thing; the most essential or important part.

nounthe choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience

Broader

contentcognitive contentmental object

adverbwith complete faith

Similar

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Cite this entry

APA

heart and soul. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/heart%20and%20soul

MLA

“heart and soul.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/heart%20and%20soul. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “heart and soul,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/heart%20and%20soul.