makeweight

[meyk-weyt]

noun

1. something put in a scale to complete a required weight.

2. anything added to supply a lack.

makeweight

/ ˈmeɪkˌweɪt /

noun

1. something put on a scale to make up a required weight

2. an unimportant person or thing added to make up a lack

Word History and Origins

Origin of makeweight¹

First recorded in 1685–95; make ¹ + weight

Example Sentences

As Manchester City launched its ultimately unsuccessful attempts to sign a marquee striker during the transfer window, one player was regularly touted as a makeweight in negotiations.

Read more on Seattle Times

As recently as January, Chelsea looked like nothing more than makeweights in the Champions League.

Read more on New York Times

But it offers a glimmer, too, to those ordinarily cast as makeweights that this year, perhaps, might just be a little less of a procession.

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There are makeweights, for sure: Eat at Home, Smile Away, 3 Legs.

Read more on The Guardian

From the moment the Champions League’s groups had been drawn in August, Group G had the look of the most finely-poised, the least predictable: no obvious favorite, no vast financial disparity, no doomed makeweights.

Read more on New York Times

Related Words

• accompaniment