underweight

American  

[uhn-der-weyt, uhn-der-weyt] / ˈʌn dərˈweɪt, ˈʌn dərˌweɪt /

adjective

1. weighing less than is usual, required, or proper.

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noun

1. deficiency in weight below a standard or requirement.

underweight British  

/ ˌʌndəˈweɪt /

adjective

1. weighing less than is average, expected, or healthy

2. finance

   1. having a lower 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

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

      pension funds have become underweight of equities

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Etymology

Origin of underweight

First recorded in 1590–1600; under- + weight

Example Sentences

The strategists said they are negative on European equities and underweight cyclicals versus defensives.

From MarketWatch • May 29, 2026

Most of them are underweight and a majority are struggling to breathe on their own.

From BBC • May 18, 2026

The bank held the consumer discretionary sector at underweight.

From Barron's • May 8, 2026

MS cuts its target price 1.2% to A$34.00 and stays underweight on the stock, which is up 4.4% at A$39.28.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 6, 2026

He was two hundred pounds underweight and chronically tired.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand

Related Words

• malnourished
• starved
• undernourished