overweight

American  

[oh-ver-weyt, oh-ver-weyt, oh-ver-weyt] / ˈoʊ vərˈweɪt, ˈoʊ vərˌweɪt, ˌoʊ vərˈweɪt /

adjective

1. weighing too much or more than is considered normal, proper, etc..

   overweight luggage; an overweight patient; two letters that may be overweight.

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noun

1. extra or excess weight above what law or regulation allows, as of baggage or freight.

   The overweight will cost us $12.

2. weight in excess of that considered normal, proper, healthful, etc..

   Overweight in a child should not be neglected.

3. greater effect or importance; preponderance.

verb (used with object)

1. to weight excessively; exceed the weight limit of.

2. to give too much consideration or emphasis to; stress unduly.

overweight British  

adjective

1. weighing more than is usual, allowed, or healthy

2. finance

   1. having a higher proportion of one's investments in a particular sector of the market than the size of that sector relative to the total market would suggest: portfolio managers are currently overweight in bonds

   2. (of a fund etc) invested disproportionately in this way

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noun

1. extra or excess weight

2. archaic greater importance or effect

verb

1. to give too much emphasis or consideration to

2. to add too much weight to

3. to weigh down

Etymology

Origin of overweight

First recorded in 1545–55; over- + weight

Example Sentences

All had overweight or obesity and metabolic syndrome, but none had diabetes or cardiovascular disease at the start of the study.

From Science Daily • May 19, 2026

“We continue to think investors should be overweight these stocks, and our “North star” has been and remains to own semiconductors over software.”

From Barron's • May 18, 2026

Some obesity experts worry that this means many people who are severely overweight are unable to access it.

From BBC • May 16, 2026

Asset allocation, Currie emphasized, is a zero-sum game: “You cannot be overweight everything.”

From MarketWatch • May 15, 2026

He was sallow and overweight and had a style of kvetching that got under the skin of many officers.

From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover

Related Words

• corpulent
• obese
• pudgy