What it means
A super common Kiwi intensifier meaning very, really, or a lot. You can chuck it before adjectives and adverbs, like heaps good, heaps funny, heaps tired, or use it for quantity too, like heaps of people. It's casual, everyday, and all over New Zealand speech.
Usage examples
"The new fish and chip shop down the road is heaps good, bro. Massive portions, proper battered, and they throw in extra chips if you are nice."
"Auckland traffic is heaps mental on Friday afternoons in the city centre, I left at four thinking I would beat the rush and got home at quarter past six, ten kilometres in two and a half hours."
"The new sushi place on Lambton Quay in Wellington is heaps good, the rolls are fat, the fish is fresh, and the staff remember your name after two visits with absolutely no awkwardness about it."
"I'm heaps keen for the roadie this weekend if the weather holds up."
"She was heaps annoyed when they stuffed up her coffee order again."
Where it comes from
Heaps comes from the ordinary noun heap, meaning a pile or large amount. In English it first grew into a quantity word, as in heaps of stuff, then in Australia and New Zealand it pushed further into a full-on intensifier, so people say heaps good or heaps keen in everyday chat.
Other ways to say it
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