English · Word Candidate

overweight

/ˌəʊvəˈweɪt/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: overweights · overweighting · overweighted

Sense 1

Meaning · English

Having a higher weight, especially body fat, than what is generally considered healthy for a given body type and height.

Adjective

Examples

Before her diet, Jane was noticeably overweight, but she shed five kilos in the next two months.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

Weighing more than what is allowed for safety or legal commerce.

Adjective

Examples

All States allow oversized vehicles if a special permit is obtained, although most States will grant overweight permits only for non-divisible loads.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

An excess of weight.

Noun

Examples

[…] and shall pay not only the amount of the permit fee for overlength, overheight, overwidth or overweight as might be due, but an additional civil penalty of fifty dollars for the first offense, one hundred dollars for the second offense and one hundred fifty dollars for each additional offense; [

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Meaning · English

The condition of being overweight.

Noun

Examples

SCHOOL MEAL ISSUES FOR CHILDREN AT RISK FOR OVERWEIGHT

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “overweight” mean?

Having a higher weight, especially body fat, than what is generally considered healthy for a given body type and height.

Is “overweight” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.