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 entry 1

weighty arguments

weightily

ˈwā-tə-lē 

adverb

weightiness

ˈwā-tē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms of weighty

• 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

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

But the seeds are planted quickly for weightier themes to be explored later. — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2026

Capturing the whole of the set-up, a Mediterranean pile on the north-west coast of Cyprus, framing its splendid size, its weighty elegance, its thrilling solidity, is challenging. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

Kreiz brings weighty international experience to the new entity, and was for a couple hours rumored to be taking up a big international job before being named co-chief. — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2026

In the aftermath of the American Civil War, veteran Cyrus Trask (Tracy Letts) raises his two sons, imprinting on them his weighty expectations for their futures. — Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026

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