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

A team of strategists at Deutsche Bank said discretionary investors were already clearly underweight stocks, according to their in-house data — although they had room to further reduce their exposure.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 30, 2026

Lowering his recommendation to underweight from equal-weight, analyst Richard E. Wiles tells clients in a note that the probability of both earnings downgrades and trading multiple de-ratings across the sector is rising.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026

It uses an individual’s weight and height to calculate a figure that fits into one of four categories: underweight, healthy weight, overweight and obesity.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 18, 2026

The brokerage upgrades the sector to neutral from underweight as downside risks to earnings now seem more balanced.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 17, 2026

Pollard, still underweight, was bundled into a double-breasted black suit, the left pant leg slit over his cast.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand

Related Words

• malnourished
• starved
• undernourished