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

Earlier this week, KeyBanc analyst John Vinh reiterated his overweight rating and $600 price target on the stock.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

The car is overweight, and is especially poor in high-speed corners.

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

This resulted in a combined overweight and obesity rate of about 41%, consistent with data from the Veneto region of Italy.

From Science Daily • Apr. 3, 2026

Morgan analyst Matthew Boss downgraded Nike’s stock to neutral from overweight and lowered his December 2026 price target for the stock to $52, from his previous price target of $86.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 1, 2026

He was not a large man, but he liked to eat, and he believed himself to be overweight.

From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston

Related Words

• corpulent
• obese
• pudgy