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 pill will contain 25 mg of semaglutide—the same compound in the injectable version of Wegovy—to treat overweight or obesity, either for people who use the pills to start a weight-loss program or for those who use them to maintain weight loss. —Alice Park, Time, 23 Dec. 2025

JPMorgan initiates Oculis Holding at overweight JPMorgan says the biotech company is well positioned. —Michael Bloom, CNBC, 19 Dec. 2025

Verb

Barclays upgrades Hyatt to overweight from equal weight Barclays says the hotel chain is poised for a re-rating. —Michael Bloom, CNBC, 17 Dec. 2025

Adjective

The Wegovy pill is FDA-approved to reduce excess body weight and maintain weight reduction long-term in adults who have obesity or are overweight. —Korin Miller, SELF, 23 Dec. 2025

It was also approved to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and death in people who have heart disease and are overweight or have obesity, the company said. —Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 23 Dec. 2025

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
• adsorbate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate

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