overweight
oh-vuh-WAYT
Overweight (adj) means weighing more than is considered healthy for one's height and build. Example: “The doctor advised him to lose weight as he was overweight.”
adj
1
Weighing more than is considered healthy for one's height and build.
"The doctor advised him to lose weight as he was overweight."
"Many people who are overweight find that regular walking helps them feel better."
"The vet said our dog was overweight and needed smaller portions."
2
Weighing more than the allowed or legal limit.
"Postaccident examination of the vehicle indicated, for example, that the driver had not adequately maintained his logbook and that his vehicle had been overweight for travel in Indiana."
— National Transportation Safety Board, Operator Actions (1999)
"He got as far as the first weigh station, where troopers found his truck to be overweight and threatened to pull him off the road."
— Legacy in the Sand: Chemical Command in Operations Desert Shield & Desert Storm (1993)
"The truck was pulled over for being overweight."
"My suitcase was overweight, so I paid extra at the airport desk."
"The parcel was overweight, and the post office refused to send it."
How to use overweight
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCarrying more weight than is considered healthy, or exceeding a set limit.
Common pairings
overweight and obese
overweight cargo
slightly overweight
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Word forms
- Plural
- overweights
- Third person singular
- overweights
- Past tense
- overweighted
- Comparative
- more overweight
- Superlative
- most overweight
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The doctor advised him to lose weight as he was _____.
Etymology
From over- + weight.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for overweight
See all rhymes for overweight →Frequently asked questions
What does “overweight” mean?
The word “overweight” means weighing more than is considered healthy for one's height and build. In plain terms, carrying more weight than is considered healthy, or exceeding a set limit.
How do you pronounce “overweight”?
“Overweight” is pronounced oh-vuh-WAYT (/ˌoʊvɚˈweɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “overweight” in a sentence?
Here is “overweight” used in a sentence: “The doctor advised him to lose weight as he was overweight.”
What is another word for “overweight”?
Words with a similar meaning to “overweight” include ample, beer-bellied, big, bulky, chubby and chunky.
What is the opposite of “overweight”?
The opposite of “overweight” — its antonyms — are underweight, scrawny, slender, strapping and thin.
What part of speech is “overweight”?
“Overweight” is an adjective.
Is “overweight” a common word?
“Overweight” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “overweight” have?
“Overweight” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: weighing more than is considered healthy for one's height and build.
What is the difference between overweight and obese?
Overweight describes weighing more than is considered healthy for one's height and build, while obese refers to a more severe degree of excess weight, typically defined by a higher body mass index threshold. Overweight is generally the less severe of the two classifications.
What does overweight mean outside of body weight, such as luggage?
Overweight also describes anything, such as luggage or cargo, that weighs more than the allowed or legal limit, as in an overweight suitcase that incurs an airline fee.
Is overweight considered a polite or clinical term?
Overweight is generally regarded as a neutral, clinical term commonly used in medical and health contexts, though many people prefer more general phrasing when discussing body weight in casual conversation.
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