weight
noun OPAL W
/weɪt/
/weɪt/
Idioms - [uncountable, countable] how heavy somebody/something is, which can be measured in, for example, kilograms or pounds
- in weight It is about 76 kilos in weight.
- by weight Bananas are sold by weight.
- weight of… In the wild, this fish can reach a weight of 5lbs.
- She is trying to lose weight (= become less heavy and less fat).
- He’s put on/gained weight (= become heavier and fatter) since he gave up smoking.
- No more for me. I have to watch my weight.
- He has now shed the extra weight.
- Body fat increases rapidly as body weight increases.
- The point is to achieve permanent weight loss.
- Stress can cause weight gain.
- Sam has a weight problem (= is too fat).
Homophones wait | weightwait weight/weɪt//weɪt/- wait verb
- You won't have to wait long—the next train is in five minutes.
- wait noun
- It was an anxious wait, but finally she found out that she'd passed.
- weight noun
- He has lost a lot of weight.
- weight verb
- Weight the tablecloth down so that it doesn't move or blow away.
Collocations Diet and exerciseDiet and exerciseWeightsee also birthweight, overweight, underweight- put on/gain/lose weight/a few kilos/a few pounds
- watch/control/struggle with your weight
- be/become seriously overweight/underweight
- be/become clinically/morbidly obese
- achieve/facilitate/promote/stimulate weight loss
- slim down to 70 kilos/(British English) 11 stone/(especially North American English) 160 pounds
- combat/prevent/tackle/treat obesity
- develop/have/suffer from/struggle with/recover from anorexia/bulimia/an eating disorder
- be on/go on/follow a crash/strict diet
- have/suffer from a negative/poor body image
- have/develop a positive/healthy body image
- eat a balanced diet/healthily/sensibly
- get/provide/receive adequate/proper nutrition
- contain/get/provide essential nutrients/vitamins/minerals
- be high/low in calories/fat/fibre/protein/vitamin D/Omega-3 fatty acids
- contain (no)/use/be full of/be free from additives/chemical preservatives/artificial sweeteners
- avoid/cut down on/cut out alcohol/caffeine/fatty foods
- stop/give up/ (especially North American English) quit smoking
- (British English) take regular exercise
- do moderate/strenuous/vigorous exercise
- play football/hockey/tennis
- go cycling/jogging/running
- go to/visit/ (especially North American English) hit/work out at the gym
- strengthen/tone/train your stomach muscles
- contract/relax/stretch/use/work your lower-body muscles
- build (up)/gain muscle
- improve/increase your stamina/energy levels/physical fitness
- burn/consume/expend calories
- be/get/keep/stay healthy/in shape/(especially British English) fit
- lower your cholesterol/blood pressure
- boost/stimulate/strengthen your immune system
- prevent/reduce the risk of heart disease/high blood pressure/diabetes/osteoporosis
- reduce/relieve/manage/combat stress
- enhance/promote relaxation/physical and mental well-being
Extra ExamplesTopics Maths and measurementa2, Health and Fitnessa2, Appearancea2- I should soon be down to my target weight of 70 kilos.
- I won't have any cake—I have to watch my weight.
- People's body weight can fluctuate during the day.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- low
- ideal
- right
- …
- watch
- gain
- put on
- …
- go up
- increase
- come off
- …
- gain
- loss
- control
- …
- [uncountable] the fact of being heavy
- weight of somebody/something The pillars have to support the weight of the roof.
- I just hoped the branch would take my weight.
- under the weight He staggered a little under the weight of his backpack.
- The table collapsed under their weight.
- Don't put any weight on that ankle for at least a week.
Extra Examples- I was worried that the branch wouldn't take my weight.
- Many buildings collapsed under the weight of rain-soaked ash and mud.
- She tried to be quiet, but the stairs creaked under her weight.
- The arch bears the weight of the bridge above.
- The boy was staggering beneath the weight of a pile of boxes.
- She misjudged the weight of the book.
- He nervously shifted his weight from foot to foot.
- He threw his weight at the door and it burst open.
- Stand with your legs apart and your weight evenly distributed.
- The doctor told me not to put my weight on this ankle for a month.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- considerable
- enormous
- great
- …
- bear
- carry
- support
- …
- in weight
- beneath the weight
- under the weight
- …
- [countable] an object that is heavy
- The doctor said he should not lift heavy weights.
- Heavy weights should be lifted with a straight back.
- Consider adding weight training and aerobic exercises to your routine.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- heavy
- dead
- leaden
- …
- lift
- [countable] an object used to keep something in position or as part of a machine
- weights on a fishing line
- [singular] weight (of something) a great responsibility or worry synonym burden
- The full weight of responsibility falls on her.
- The news was certainly a weight off my mind (= I did not have to worry about it any more).
- Finally telling the truth was a great weight off my shoulders.
- He was buckling under the weight of his responsibilities.
- [uncountable] importance, influence or strength
- The many letters of support added weight to the campaign.
- The President has now offered to lend his weight to the project.
- Your opinion carries weight with the boss.
- How can you ignore the sheer weight of medical opinion?
- The weight of evidence against her is overwhelming.
Extra Examples- They attach too much weight to academic achievement.
- The new evidence added considerable weight to the prosecution's case.
- Sir Leon lent his weight to the Tory campaign yesterday.
- America's economic weight
- Environmental considerations were given due weight in making the decision.
- Her opinion seemed to carry little weight in the company.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- due
- full
- sufficient
- …
- attach
- give
- place
- …
- put your weight behind something
- throw your weight behind something
- weight of numbers
- …
- [countable, uncountable] a unit or system of units by which weight is measured
- tables of weights and measures
- imperial/metric weight
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- low
- ideal
- right
- …
- watch
- gain
- put on
- …
- go up
- increase
- come off
- …
- gain
- loss
- control
- …
- [countable] a piece of metal that is known to weigh a particular amount and is used to measure the weight of something, or lifted by people to improve their strength and as a sport
- a set of weights
- a light/heavy weight
- She lifts weights as part of her training.
- He does a lot of weight training.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- heavy
- large
- light
- …
- lift
- lifting
- training
- room
- …
- weights and measures
More Like This Silent lettersSilent letters- gnarled
- gnash
- gnat
- gnaw
- gnome
- haute cuisine
- heir
- herb
- honour
- hors d’oeuvre
- hour
- knack
- knee
- kneel
- knife
- knight
- knit
- knob
- knock
- knot
- know
- knuckle
- psalm
- psephology
- psychic
- ptarmigan
- pterodactyl
- psychology
- wrangle
- wrap
- wreath
- wreck
- wrench
- wrestle
- wriggle
- wring
- write
- wrong
- bomb
- climb
- crumb
- doubt
- lamb
- limb
- ascent
- fascinate
- muscle
- scene
- scissors
- height
- right
- sleigh
- weight
- align
- campaign
- design
- foreign
- malign
- reign
- unfeigned
- balmy
- calm
- calf
- half
- yolk
- autumn
- column
- condemn
- damn
- hymn
- solemn
- bristle
- fasten
- listen
- mortgage
- soften
- thistle
- wrestle
- biscuit
- build
- circuit
- disguise
- guilty
- league
- rogue
- vague
- yacht
- answer
- sword
- two
being heavy
heavy object
responsibility/worry
influence/strength
for measuring/lifting
Word OriginOld English (ge)wiht, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch wicht and German Gewicht. The form of the word has been influenced by weigh.
Idioms
carry weight (with somebody)
- to have influence with somebody
- My views don't carry much weight with the boss.
groan under the weight of something
- (formal) used to say that there is too much of something
- The table groaned under the weight of the biggest buffet they had ever seen.
pull your weight
- to work as hard as everyone else in a job, an activity, etc.
punch above your weight
- to be or try to be more successful than others in doing something that normally requires more skill, experience, money, etc. than you have
- This player seems to be able to constantly punch above his weight.
- He punched above his weight as the party’s foreign affairs spokesman.
take the weight off your feet
- (informal) to sit down and rest, especially when you are tired
- Come and sit down and take the weight off your feet for a while.
throw your weight about/around
- (informal) to use your position of authority or power in an aggressive way in order to achieve what you want
- She was a good manager, who didn’t find it necessary to throw her weight around.
throw/put your weight behind something
- to use all your influence and power to support something
- The government has thrown its weight behind the anti-pollution campaign.
weight of numbers
- the combined power, strength or influence of a group
- They won the argument by sheer weight of numbers.
worth your/its weight in gold
- very useful or valuable
- A good mechanic is worth his weight in gold.