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

Synonyms of overweight

Relevance

Adjective

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

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
The city has the largest percentage of adults who are obese, at 45%, with an additional 31% overweight but not obese. — Natassia Paloma, USA Today, 4 June 2026 Patients seeking treatment for weight loss should consult a physician trained in management of overweight or obesity. — Allison Palmer june 5, Miami Herald, 5 June 2026
Verb
Morgan Stanley upgrades Grindr to overweight from equal weight Morgan Stanley says the dating app has a unique offering. — Michael Bloom, CNBC, 1 July 2026
Adjective
According to the governor’s office, people who are overweight may be prone to heat sickness because of their tendency to retain more body heat. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 29 June 2026 The parents are also accused of abusing their 5-year-old daughter, who is also morbidly overweight, according to the complaint. — Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 2 July 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

Rhymes for overweight

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Browse Nearby Words

overweigh
overweight
overwell
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Overweight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overweight. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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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

Nglish: Translation of overweight for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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