weight
weight — noun
1. how heavy a person or object is, expressed in units such as kilograms, pounds, o
how heavy a person or object is, expressed in units such as kilograms, pounds, or stones.
Tomás checked the weight of his suitcase before the flight.
weight + of + noun phrase
The doctor told Élise to keep track of her weight every week.
keep track of + weight (possessive)
A newborn baby typically doubles its birth weight within five months.
The bridge has a maximum weight limit of twenty metric tons.
Sari was surprised by how much weight the little box actually had.
- lightness
the quality of being light in weight
文法句型
weight + of + noun
verb + weight
用法筆記
Commonly pairs with verbs like 'lose', 'gain', 'put on', 'watch'. When referring to a specific measured amount, 'weight' is countable ('a weight of 5 kg'). For the general concept it is uncountable ('excess weight is bad for your health').
常見錯誤
2. a block or disc made of metal that has a fixed heaviness and is used on a scale
a block or disc made of metal that has a fixed heaviness and is used on a scale to measure how heavy another object is, or as part of a system of standard measures.
Minho placed a one-kilogram weight on the left side of the scale.
a [measurement] weight — specifying size
The science teacher showed the class a box of brass weights for the balance scale.
brass weights — material + plural count
Rohan adjusted the small weights on the laboratory balance until the needle pointed to zero.
The jeweller used a set of tiny precision weights to measure the gold powder.
- counterweight
a weight that balances another weight, often in machinery
- standard weight
a weight officially approved for use in trade and measurement
文法句型
a weight + of + measurement
plural: weights
用法筆記
Countable noun. Often appears in 'a set of weights' (a collection of standard pieces ranging from small to large). Distinguished from sense 3 (GYM WEIGHTS) by its purpose — this sense is about measurement, not exercise.
3. a heavy object, especially a metal disc or bar, that people lift, push, or pull
a heavy object, especially a metal disc or bar, that people lift, push, or pull as a form of exercise to build muscle and strength.
Mira has been lifting weights at the gym every morning for six months.
lift weights — fixed fitness collocation
Baraka added more plates to the barbell until the weight felt challenging.
add + weight + to + barbell
The gym has a rack of dumbbells and a separate area for free weights.
Selim injured his shoulder because he tried to lift a weight that was too heavy for him.
Weight training three times a week helped Christopher improve his running speed.
- dumbbell
a short bar with weights at each end, held in one hand
- barbell
a long metal bar with weights at each end, lifted with both hands
- kettlebell
a round weight with a handle, used for swinging movements
文法句型
lift + weights
weights + for + exercise
用法筆記
Often appears in plural — 'weights' — when referring to the activity or equipment at a gym. 'Free weights' means dumbbells and barbells (not machines). 'Weight training' is the activity of exercising with weights.
常見錯誤
4. the degree of importance, influence, or authority that a person, opinion, or pie
the degree of importance, influence, or authority that a person, opinion, or piece of information has in a particular situation.
Mei-Lin's opinion carries a lot of weight with the board of directors.
carry weight — figurative meaning 'be influential'
Liam threw his weight behind the proposal and convinced several colleagues to support it.
throw weight behind [sb/sth] — idiomatic phrase
The weight of scientific evidence strongly supports the link between smoking and lung cancer.
Ignacio complained that his manager did not give enough weight to the team's suggestions.
- influence
broader term; can refer to direct or indirect power to affect decisions
- authority
suggests official or recognised power rather than informal sway
- significance
focuses on importance rather than power to persuade
- clout
informal; means political or social influence, especially in business
- insignificance
lack of importance or influence
文法句型
carry + weight
weight + of + noun
throw + possessive + weight + around
用法筆記
Uncountable in this sense. Frequently appears in set phrases: 'carry weight' (be influential), 'throw one's weight behind' (actively support), 'the weight of evidence/opinion' (the overall force of). Rarely used with numbers or measurements.
常見錯誤
5. a heavy emotional or mental load that causes worry, stress, or difficulty — for
a heavy emotional or mental load that causes worry, stress, or difficulty — for example, the pressure of a major responsibility or a painful secret.
The weight of caring for her elderly parents became too much for Defne to handle alone.
weight of + gerund phrase — burden sense
Telling his best friend the truth lifted a great weight off Tomás's shoulders.
lift a weight off [sb]'s shoulders — idiom for relief
The weight of expectation from her family made Élise feel anxious before the exam results came out.
Minho finally shared the secret with a therapist and felt the weight disappear from his chest.
- relief
the feeling of having a burden removed
文法句型
weight + of + noun
a weight + off + possessive + mind
用法筆記
Frequently followed by 'of' + a noun phrase specifying the source of pressure ('weight of responsibility', 'weight of guilt'). The phrase 'a weight off one's shoulders/mind' is a common idiom for relief. Can be countable when referring to a specific burden ('a weight he had carried for years').
weight — verb
1. to attach something heavy to an object or to put a heavy object on top of it, us
to attach something heavy to an object or to put a heavy object on top of it, usually so that it stays in place or does not move easily.
Rohan weighted the corner of the picnic blanket with a stone to stop the wind from blowing it away.
weight + noun + with [heavy object] — active
The curtains were weighted at the bottom so that they would hang straight.
passive: be weighted + prepositional phrase
Sari weighted the fishing net with lead strips along the bottom edge.
The scuba divers weighted their belts with extra pouches to stay underwater more easily.
- load
broader; can mean filling or adding anything, not necessarily heavy
- weight down
the phrasal verb form, emphasising immobilising with heaviness
- ballast
more technical; used for ships or vehicles to improve stability
- lighten
to remove weight or make something lighter
文法句型
weight + noun + down/with
be weighted + down/with + noun
用法筆記
Often used with the particle 'down' ('weight down') or 'with' ('weight with'). The passive form ('be weighted with/by') is very common. Do not confuse with 'weigh' (to measure heaviness); 'weight' means to add heaviness, not to measure it.