overweight

1 of 3

noun

over·​weight ˈō-vər-ˌwāt How to pronounce overweight (audio)
sense 2 is usually
ˌō-vər-ˈwāt How to pronounce overweight (audio)
Synonyms of overweightnext
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 How to pronounce overweight (audio)
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 How to pronounce overweight (audio)
: exceeding expected, normal, or proper weight
especially : exceeding the bodily weight normal for one's age, height, and build

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Barclays initiates Regeneron Pharmaceuticals at overweight Barclays says the biopharma company is best positioned. Michael Bloom, CNBC, 5 Mar. 2026 To explore this approach, Grimaldi and her colleagues designed a seven-and-a-half-week study that included 39 adults with overweight or obesity. Julia Ries Wexler, Health, 3 Mar. 2026
Verb
KeyBanc Capital Markets recently upgraded the stock to overweight from sector weight. Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 7 Mar. 2026 Local and regional African credit rating agencies argue that their global counterparts overweight hard currency constraints and external shocks while underestimating domestic resilience and informal economic activity. Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
While Howard’s case is full of nuance, Ogilvie initially only sees him as an overweight patient who might be better served by the medical facilities at the zoo. Marah Eakin, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026 The bank reiterated its overweight rating on the stock and upped its price target from $130 to $135. Lola Murti, CNBC, 6 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for overweight

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of overweight was in 1552

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Overweight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overweight. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

overweight

1 of 2 noun
over·​weight ˈō-vər-ˌwāt How to pronounce overweight (audio)
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 How to pronounce overweight (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce overweight (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on overweight

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