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

Both companies are betting there is a big untapped market of overweight people who would favor a pill instead.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 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

CGS maintains an overweight rating on Malaysian banks, saying earnings would be largely defensive against any negative impact from elevated oil prices.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

A Mayo Clinic-led study reports that postmenopausal women using menopausal hormone therapy experienced significantly greater weight loss when taking tirzepatide, a Food and Drug Administration-approved medication for overweight and obesity.

From Science Daily • Mar. 23, 2026

Three of every five Americans are overweight; one of every five is obese.

From "The Omnivore's Dilemma" by Michael Pollan

Related Words

• corpulent
• obese
• pudgy