heavyweight
9 synonyms for heavyweight, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The highest weight class in boxing and similar combat sports, or a competitor in that class.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use heavyweight
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
heavyweight champion
political heavyweight
a heavyweight cast
Etymology
From "heavy" + "weight," originally describing the top weight division in boxing before it broadened to mean any dominant figure.
Full origin of heavyweight →Frequently asked questions
What does “heavyweight” mean?
The word “heavyweight” means the highest weight class in boxing and similar combat sports, or a competitor in that class. In plain terms, the top boxing weight class — or, more generally, someone or something with major influence and importance.
How do you pronounce “heavyweight”?
“Heavyweight” is pronounced HEH-vee-wayt (/ˈhɛ.vi.weɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “heavyweight” in a sentence?
Here is “heavyweight” used in a sentence: “He became world heavyweight champion at just 24.”
What part of speech is “heavyweight”?
Depending on how it is used, “heavyweight” can be a noun and an adjective.
Is “heavyweight” a common word?
“Heavyweight” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “heavyweight” have?
“Heavyweight” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the highest weight class in boxing and similar combat sports, or a competitor in that class.
What is the difference between heavyweight and lightweight in boxing?
Heavyweight is the highest weight class in boxing, with no upper weight limit, while lightweight is a much lower weight class with a defined maximum. Heavyweight fighters are typically the largest and are often seen as the sport's most prominent competitors.
Can heavyweight describe someone outside of sports?
Yes, heavyweight is commonly used figuratively to describe an important, influential person or organization in a particular field, such as a 'political heavyweight' or 'industry heavyweight.' This use has nothing to do with physical size or boxing.
Is heavyweight used as an adjective as well as a noun?
Yes, as an adjective heavyweight describes something important, powerful, or impressive, such as a 'heavyweight report' or 'heavyweight cast.' As a noun it refers to the boxing class or an influential person.
