verb A2 Elementary Common

weigh

way

Weigh (verb) means to find out how heavy something is, usually with scales. Example: “The nurse weighed the baby at every checkup.”

verb

To find out how heavy something is, usually with scales.

"The nurse weighed the baby at every checkup."

To have a particular weight.

"The parcel weighs almost two kilograms."

To carefully consider or compare things before deciding.

"She weighed the pros and cons before accepting the job offer."

"The judge had to weigh the evidence from both sides."

Nautical: to raise the anchor before setting sail.

"The crew weighed anchor at dawn."

How to use weigh

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo measure heaviness, to have a certain heaviness, or to think carefully about options.

Common mistake

Don't confuse with "way" or "whey" — all pronounced the same but spelled and meaning differently.

Easily confused with

way → whey →

Common pairings

weigh the options weigh anchor weigh in

Word forms

weighed past tense, weighs plural, weighs singular

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The nurse _____ the baby at every checkup.

Etymology

From Old English wegan ("to carry, move, weigh"), from a very old root meaning "to carry or transport" — a distant relative of "vector" and "wagon".

Origin: Old English

Synonyms

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consider evaluate assess ponder measure contemplate

Related words

time think action deal view rate amount step

Rhymes for weigh

neigh leigh sleigh Raleigh McVeigh outweigh Ashleigh

See all rhymes for weigh →

Frequently asked questions

What does “weigh” mean?

The word “weigh” means to find out how heavy something is, usually with scales. In plain terms, to measure heaviness, to have a certain heaviness, or to think carefully about options.

How do you pronounce “weigh”?

“Weigh” is pronounced way (/weɪ/ in IPA).

How do you use “weigh” in a sentence?

Here is “weigh” used in a sentence: “The nurse weighed the baby at every checkup.”

What part of speech is “weigh”?

“Weigh” is a verb.

Where does the word “weigh” come from?

The word “weigh” comes from Old English. From Old English wegan ("to carry, move, weigh"), from a very old root meaning "to carry or transport" — a distant relative of "vector" and "wagon".

Is “weigh” a common word?

“Weigh” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

How many meanings does “weigh” have?

“Weigh” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to find out how heavy something is, usually with scales.

What is the difference between weigh and weight?

Weigh is a verb: you weigh something to find out how heavy it is, or an object weighs a certain amount. Weight is normally a noun naming the measurement itself, as in 'the weight of the box.' Writing 'the box weights ten kilos' is a common mistake; the correct verb form is weighs.

Is it 'weigh in' or 'way in'?

The phrasal verb is weigh in: people weigh in on a debate by offering an opinion, and boxers weigh in before a fight by being officially weighed. 'Way in' is only correct as a noun phrase meaning an entrance, as in 'the way in is around the back.'

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