heli-

combining form

variants or helio-

: sun

heliocentric

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from Greek hēli-, hēlio-, from hēlios — more at solar

Browse Nearby Words

helgramite

heli-

heliacal

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Heli-.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heli-. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

deleterious

Listen to the pronunciation of deleterious

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

Regarding the Incorrect Use of 'Decimate'

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Popular in Wordplay

What to Call the Inept, Incompetent, and Inferior

Strange Words for Body Functions

Where does 'curiosity killed the cat' come from?

Cattywampus, Taradiddle, and More Funny-Sounding Words

Is “GIF” Pronounced “Jiff” or “Giff”?

Popular

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples

What to Call the Inept, Incompetent, and Inferior

Strange Words for Body Functions