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

According to global estimates, billions of people are now overweight or obese, increasing the risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, sleep apnea, and some cancers.

From Science Daily • May 8, 2026

There’s a similar situation with mutual funds, which can be contrarian indicators and tend to lag market turning points, and they have been overweight Russell 2000 versus the S&P 500 since February.

From MarketWatch • May 5, 2026

But the study reveals that a decades-long pattern of people becoming more overweight is likely to play some role, even though it is far from the whole story.

From BBC • Apr. 28, 2026

Even with an Iran peace deal, it would only take a few missiles from militants to disrupt the flow of energy again, he says: “I’m significantly overweight energy. The sector looks better than before.”

From Barron's • Apr. 24, 2026

She was an overweight black woman with twinkling eyes and a dimpled smile.

From "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini

Related Words

• corpulent
• obese
• pudgy