weighty

1 of 2

adjective

ˈwā-tē 

weightier; weightiest

1

a

: of much importance or consequence : momentous

a weighty problem

b

: solemn

2

a

: weighing a considerable amount

b

: heavy in proportion to its bulk

weighty metal

3

: powerful, telling

weighty arguments

weightily

ˈwā-tə-lē 

adverb

weightiness

ˈwā-tē-nəs 

noun

weightiness

2 of 2

noun

weight·​i·​ness |ēnə̇s 

|in-

plural -es

: the quality or state of being weighty

Synonyms of weighty

Adjective

• serious
• important

Choose the Right Synonym for weighty

heavy, weighty, ponderous, cumbrous, cumbersome mean having great weight.

heavy implies that something has greater density or thickness than the average of its kind or class.

a heavy child for his age

weighty suggests having actual and not just relative weight.

a load of weighty boxes

ponderous implies having great weight because of size and massiveness with resulting great inertia.

ponderous elephants in a circus parade

cumbrous and cumbersome imply heaviness and bulkiness that make for difficulty in grasping, moving, carrying, or manipulating.

wrestled with the cumbrous furniture

early cameras were cumbersome and inconvenient

Examples of weighty in a Sentence

Adjective

She grabbed a weighty book off the shelf.

The film deals with some weighty issues.

Those are weighty arguments in your favor.

He was a weighty figure in the art world.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The Pro will be no less weighty, but if need to travel up to 140 miles (225 km) per trip then the numerous pros will outweigh the single con. — Paul Ridden june 23, New Atlas, 23 June 2026

The Declaration of Independence represents a distillation of centuries of philosophical thought on weighty concepts such as freedom, natural rights, and social contract theories. — Carmine Gallo, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026

The resulting damage to his privacy and to weighty law enforcement interests will be permanent. — Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 19 June 2026

But Yamal doesn’t seem phased by the weighty comparison – content on being the best version of himself, and not worrying about what the rest of the world says. — Ben Church, CNN Money, 15 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for weighty

• eighty
• kati
• katy
• platy
• slaty

Kids Definition

weighty

adjective

ˈwāt-ē 

weightier; weightiest

1

: having much weight : heavy

2

a

: of much importance : serious

weighty problems

b

: showing seriousness : solemn

a weighty expression on her face

3

: having the power to influence or persuade

weighty arguments

weightily

ˈwāt-ᵊl-ē 

adverb

weightiness noun