overweight

1 of 3

noun

over·​weight ˈō-vər-ˌwāt 

sense 2 is usually

ˌō-vər-ˈwāt 

1

: weight over and above what is required or allowed

2

: excessive or burdensome weight

overweight

2 of 3

verb

over·​weight ˌō-vər-ˈwāt 

overweighted; overweighting; overweights

transitive verb

1

: to give too much weight or consideration to

2

: to weight excessively

overweight

3 of 3

adjective

over·​weight ˌō-vər-ˈwāt 

: exceeding expected, normal, or proper weight

especially : exceeding the bodily weight normal for one's age, height, and build

Synonyms of overweight

Adjective

• plump
• fat
• obese
• round

Examples of overweight in a Sentence

Adjective

He looked to be at least 20 pounds overweight.

an overweight person who had difficulty running even a short distance

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The bank downgraded the retail name to equal weight from overweight. — Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 11 Aug. 2026

Its relaxed fit feels like your favorite sweatshirt—but without the overweight feel. — Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 11 Aug. 2026

Verb

The media stock jumped 5% following upgrades to overweight from JPMorgan and Wells Fargo. — Fred Imbert, CNBC, 14 Aug. 2026

Adjective

Halligan said breeds with short snouts like Bulldogs, Bullmastiffs and Pekingese pups are at greater risk, so are overweight animals and dogs with dark fur. — Kara Finnstrom, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026

JPMorgan resumes Salesforce at overweight JPMorgan reinstated Salesforce and sees plenty of upside. — Michael Bloom, CNBC, 13 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1552, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1613, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1621, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for overweight

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate
• angulate

Kids Definition

overweight

1 of 2 noun

over·​weight ˈō-vər-ˌwāt 

sense 2 is usually ˌō-vər-ˈwāt

1

: weight above what is required or allowed

2

: excessive or burdensome weight

overweight

2 of 2 adjective

over·​weight ˌō-vər-ˈwāt 

: being more than the expected, normal, or proper weight

especially : having greater than normal bodily weight for one's age, height, and build

Medical Definition

overweight

adjective

over·​weight -ˈwāt 

: weighing in excess of the normal for one's age, height, and build

overweight adolescents

overweight adults typically have a body mass index of 25 to 29.9

overweight noun