weighty

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

Synonyms

• grave
• heavy
• serious

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

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

Rink also believes the category works well with seafood and white meat, especially those with weighty textures and rich flavors like scallops with beurre blanc or an earthy, rustic preparation of chicken or Cornish hen. —Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 23 Mar. 2025

Certainly, that voltaic vibe trickles down to our looks too—weighty wools and cashmeres make way for breezier cottons and organzas on the fashion front. —Kiana Murden, Vogue, 13 Mar. 2025

Ask yourself a weighty question -- do the upsides of AI possibly overturn or outweigh the downsides? —Lance Eliot, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025

Contrary to the belief that only weighty memos or visionary speeches define one’s reputation, consistent presence and engagement in the more routine interactions often prove just as (if not more) critical. —Bala Sathyanarayanan, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

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