heavyweight: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral to informal
Quick answer
What does “heavyweight” mean?
A person or thing of great weight, power, or importance.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person or thing of great weight, power, or importance; in boxing, the heaviest weight class.
A person, company, or thing that is highly influential, experienced, or formidable within a particular field.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in core meaning. 'Heavyweight' in boxing has identical weight limits. Slight variance in specific compound terms (e.g., 'heavyweight paper' may be used in printing contexts in both).
Connotations
Identical across both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in US media/sports commentary but common in both.
Grammar
How to Use “heavyweight” in a Sentence
[be] a heavyweight in/of [field][be] the heavyweight champion[heavyweight] [noun] (e.g., heavyweight fighter)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “heavyweight” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The promoter wants to heavyweight the card with a title fight.
American English
- The network decided to heavyweight its primetime schedule with drama series.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to a dominant, large, or highly influential company or executive (e.g., 'The tech heavyweight announced a merger').
Academic
Metaphorically describes a seminal thinker or work of great importance in a discipline.
Everyday
Most commonly used for boxing or to describe someone very important/skilled (e.g., 'She's a heavyweight in local politics').
Technical
In sports, the specific weight class. In materials, describes a dense fabric or paper.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “heavyweight”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “heavyweight”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “heavyweight”
- Using 'heavy weight' as two words for the metaphorical sense (should be one word: heavyweight).
- Confusing with 'lightweight' which means insignificant OR a lower boxing class.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is one word for both the literal and metaphorical meanings (e.g., heavyweight champion). 'Heavy weight' as two words is rarely used.
Yes, but usually in a technical sense (e.g., heavyweight fabric, heavyweight paper) meaning of above-average density or thickness.
A 'lightweight', 'start-up', or 'minor player'.
Not usually, if used in its standard metaphorical sense of 'important/influential'. However, avoid the literal use to describe a person's physical weight, as it could be insensitive.
A person or thing of great weight, power, or importance.
Heavyweight is usually neutral to informal in register.
Heavyweight: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhɛviweɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhɛviˌweɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Throw your weight around (related concept)”
- “Punch above your weight (related concept)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a HEAVY WEIGHT lifter - they are strong and important in their sport.
Conceptual Metaphor
IMPORTANCE IS WEIGHT, POWER IS WEIGHT, SIGNIFICANCE IS WEIGHT.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'heavyweight' LEAST likely to be used metaphorically?