Explanation at your level:
You use weight to talk about how heavy things are. If you step on a scale, you see your weight. A rock has a lot of weight, but a leaf has very little weight. It is a simple word for a big idea!
When you go to the doctor, they check your weight. You can also talk about weight in the gym. If you want to be healthy, you might try to lose weight by eating good food and exercising every day.
In English, weight is not just for physical objects. You can talk about the weight of a decision. For example, if you have to choose a new job, that choice carries a lot of weight because it changes your life. It is a very common word in daily life.
You will often see weight used in professional settings. For instance, in a debate, an argument might carry significant weight if it is supported by facts. It is also used in idioms like 'pulling your weight,' which means doing your fair share of the work in a team environment.
At an advanced level, weight functions as a versatile noun for both tangible and intangible concepts. It represents the 'gravity' of a situation or the 'heaviness' of a burden. You might analyze the 'weight' of historical evidence or describe the 'weight' of a character's silence in a novel. It is a word that adds depth and precision to your descriptions.
Mastery of weight involves understanding its nuanced applications in academic and literary contexts. It can denote the 'importance' or 'influence' of a person's opinion, or the 'physical burden' of an object. Its etymological journey from 'burden' to 'gravitational force' reflects the evolution of human measurement. Using it correctly in metaphors—like 'the weight of history'—demonstrates a high level of fluency.
Palavra em 30 segundos
- Weight is the measure of heaviness.
- It is often used metaphorically.
- It is a noun, not a verb.
- It rhymes with wait.
When we talk about weight, we are usually describing how heavy an object is. In everyday life, you use this word to talk about your body mass or the heaviness of items like groceries or luggage.
Beyond the physical measurement, weight carries a metaphorical meaning. We often speak of the weight of responsibility or the weight of an argument, which means how serious or important those things are. It is a very versatile word that bridges the gap between science and daily conversation.
The word weight comes from the Old English word wiht, which meant 'a burden' or 'a carriage.' It shares roots with the verb weigh, which originally meant to carry or to lift.
Historically, the concept of weight was tied to the physical act of balancing goods on a scale. Over centuries, the word evolved from simply describing a physical load to representing the abstract concept of gravity and importance. It is deeply connected to Germanic linguistic roots, appearing in similar forms in Dutch and German.
You will hear weight used in many contexts, from the gym to the boardroom. Common collocations include lose weight, gain weight, and carry weight.
In a formal register, you might hear about the weight of evidence in a legal case. In a casual register, you might say something is dead weight if it is useless or slowing you down. Understanding these nuances helps you sound more natural when discussing physical or abstract burdens.
1. Pull your weight: To do your fair share of work. Example: Everyone needs to pull their weight on this project.
2. Throw your weight around: To use your power or influence to bully others. Example: Don't try to throw your weight around just because you are the boss.
3. Weight off your shoulders: A feeling of relief after a problem is solved. Example: Finishing that exam was a huge weight off my shoulders.
4. Worth your weight in gold: Extremely valuable. Example: That assistant is worth her weight in gold.
5. Throw weight behind: To support something. Example: The company will throw its weight behind the new policy.
Weight is generally an uncountable noun when referring to the concept of heaviness, but it can be countable when referring to specific objects like weights used in exercise.
The pronunciation is /weɪt/ in both American and British English. It rhymes with eight, late, fate, gate, and state. The 'gh' is silent, which is a common tricky feature in English spelling.
Fun Fact
The 'gh' was once pronounced in Old English but became silent over time.
Pronunciation Guide
Short 'a' sound with a silent 'gh'.
Clear 't' at the end.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing the 'gh'
- Confusing with 'wait'
- Misplacing the vowel sound
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read
Common usage
Easy to pronounce
Clear sound
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Avançado
Grammar to Know
Uncountable nouns
Weight is uncountable.
Homophones
Wait vs Weight.
Examples by Level
The box has a lot of weight.
box / has / much / weight
Uncountable usage.
My weight is fifty kilograms.
my / weight / is / 50kg
Subject usage.
This bag has no weight.
this / bag / is / light
Negative structure.
What is the weight?
ask / for / weight
Question form.
The weight is too much.
it / is / too / heavy
Determiner usage.
He checks his weight.
he / looks / at / weight
Verb-object pattern.
Lift the weight.
pick / up / the / weight
Imperative.
Add some weight.
make / it / heavier
Action verb.
The weight of the cat is small.
She wants to lose weight.
The athlete lifted a heavy weight.
Check the weight of your luggage.
He gained some weight this year.
The weight is marked on the box.
Does this scale measure weight?
They moved the heavy weight.
Her opinion carries a lot of weight.
The weight of the decision was hard.
He is trying to maintain his weight.
The weight of the snow broke the branch.
Don't put all your weight on that chair.
The weight of the evidence is clear.
She felt a weight off her shoulders.
They measured the weight of the gold.
The weight of responsibility is great.
His words carried little weight.
The weight of public opinion shifted.
She threw her weight behind the plan.
The weight of the past haunts him.
They are measuring the weight of the atoms.
He is pulling his weight in the team.
The weight of the situation is obvious.
The weight of history is undeniable.
She felt the weight of his gaze.
The argument lacks sufficient weight.
The weight of the narrative is intense.
He carries the weight of the world.
The weight of the evidence is overwhelming.
The policy carries significant weight.
The weight of the task is daunting.
The weight of expectation is a burden.
His silence carried a heavy weight.
The weight of the atmosphere was palpable.
She understood the weight of her legacy.
The weight of the law must be applied.
He felt the weight of his own conscience.
The weight of the tradition is immense.
The weight of the argument rests on facts.
Colocações comuns
Idioms & Expressions
"pull your weight"
do your share of work
You need to pull your weight.
casual"weight off your shoulders"
relief
It was a weight off my shoulders.
neutral"worth your weight in gold"
very valuable
She is worth her weight in gold.
neutral"throw your weight around"
use power to bully
Stop throwing your weight around.
casual"throw your weight behind"
support
I will throw my weight behind the plan.
formal"carry the weight of the world"
be very stressed
He looks like he carries the weight of the world.
neutralEasily Confused
Homophones
Wait is to stay; weight is heaviness
I will wait for you; check the weight.
Related words
Weigh is the verb
I weigh the fruit; the weight is 1kg.
Scientific overlap
Mass is constant; weight changes with gravity
Mass is matter; weight is force.
Adjective form
Heavy is the quality
The box is heavy; it has weight.
Sentence Patterns
The weight of [noun] is [adj].
The weight of the box is high.
I need to lose weight.
I need to lose weight.
That carries weight.
His opinion carries weight.
He is lifting weights.
He is lifting weights at the gym.
A weight off my shoulders.
It was a weight off my shoulders.
Família de palavras
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Relacionado
How to Use It
9/10
Formality Scale
Erros comuns
Weigh is the verb; weight is the noun.
Redundant phrase.
Abstract weight is uncountable.
Different meanings and spellings.
Weight is the measurement, not the quality.
Tips
Memory Palace
Imagine a scale at your front door.
Native Speakers
Use it for both physical items and abstract ideas.
Cultural Insight
Body weight is a common health topic.
Grammar Shortcut
Weight is the noun, Weigh is the verb.
Say It Right
Ignore the 'gh'.
Avoid This
Don't confuse with 'wait'.
Did You Know?
The 'gh' used to be a sound!
Study Smart
Learn it with its verb form 'weigh'.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Weight is a 'wait' that you carry.
Visual Association
A person standing on a scale.
Word Web
Desafio
Use the word 'weight' in three sentences today.
Origem da palavra
Old English
Original meaning: burden or carriage
Contexto cultural
Be careful when discussing someone's body weight; it can be a sensitive topic.
Used frequently in sports, health, and legal contexts.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
at the gym
- lifting weights
- heavy weight
- set the weight
at the doctor
- check your weight
- lose weight
- gain weight
at the airport
- luggage weight
- weight limit
- excess weight
in a meeting
- carries weight
- throw weight behind
- significant weight
Conversation Starters
"How do you stay healthy?"
"Do you think this argument carries weight?"
"What is the heaviest thing you have lifted?"
"How do you handle the weight of responsibility?"
"Do you use a scale at home?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a time you felt a weight off your shoulders.
Why is it important to pull your weight in a team?
How do you define a 'weighty' decision?
What does 'worth your weight in gold' mean to you?
Perguntas frequentes
8 perguntasIn science, no. Mass is the amount of matter; weight is the force of gravity.
Like 'wait'.
Yes, when talking about gym equipment.
No, 'weigh' is the verb.
Weighty.
It is a historical spelling relic.
Yes, as a metaphor for burden.
It is neutral and used everywhere.
Teste-se
The ___ of the bag is 5kg.
Noun needed here.
Which means 'to do your share'?
Idiomatic meaning.
Weight is always countable.
It is usually uncountable.
Word
Significado
Noun vs Verb.
Subject-verb agreement.
Pontuação: /5
Summary
Weight describes both how heavy something is and how important it feels.
- Weight is the measure of heaviness.
- It is often used metaphorically.
- It is a noun, not a verb.
- It rhymes with wait.
Memory Palace
Imagine a scale at your front door.
Native Speakers
Use it for both physical items and abstract ideas.
Cultural Insight
Body weight is a common health topic.
Grammar Shortcut
Weight is the noun, Weigh is the verb.
Exemplo
이 가방의 무게가 너무 무거워요.
Related Content
Gramática relacionada
Mais palavras de general
대해
A2About, concerning.
~에 대해서
A2Concerning or regarding a particular subject; about.
정도
A2An approximate amount or degree.
위에
A1on top of
절대적
B2Being unconditional, unlimited, or not relative to anything else. It describes something that is certain, total, or supreme without comparison.
절대로
A2Never, absolutely not.
우연적이다
B2To be accidental or coincidental; happening by chance.
우연히
B1By chance, accidentally, or unexpectedly. Often used in TOEFL listening narratives or history passages about accidental discoveries.
데리다
A1To take (a person); to pick up.
따라
A2Along, according to.
