heavyweight

B2 Topic:Describing Qualities

US /ˈhev.i.weɪt/ UK /ˈhev.i.weɪt/ See IPA manual

adj noun Freq #15094

Meanings

1

adj
heavier, thicker, or more substantial than average for its kind

The printer uses heavyweight paper for the report's cover.
2

noun
a competitor in the heaviest or an unrestricted weight class, especially in boxing

The heavyweight defended his championship title in a twelve-round bout.
3

noun
a person, organization, or thing with great power, prominence, influence, or ability

The conference attracted several heavyweights from the technology industry.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 adj · heavier, thicker, or more... heavy substantial

2 noun · a competitor in the... heavyweight competitor

3 noun · a person, organization, or... powerhousemajor figureleading figure

Opposites

light lightweightminor figurenonentity

Word family

Derived forms superheavyweightnonheavyweight

Related forms heavy weightlight heavyweightcruiserweightlightweight

Etymology

A compound of heavy + weight, first used for a person or thing above average weight and then for the highest weight classes in sport. The figurative sense extends physical weight to exceptional power, prominence, influence, or ability.

Topics

Describing Qualities

# heavyweight

**Type:** Word
**Level:** B2
**Part of speech:** adj, noun
**IPA (US):** ˈhev.i.weɪt
**IPA (UK):** ˈhev.i.weɪt
**Frequency rank:** 15094

## Meanings
1. heavier, thicker, or more substantial than average for its kind
2. a competitor in the heaviest or an unrestricted weight class, especially in boxing
3. a person, organization, or thing with great power, prominence, influence, or ability

## Examples
- The printer uses heavyweight paper for the report's cover.
- The heavyweight defended his championship title in a twelve-round bout.
- The conference attracted several heavyweights from the technology industry.

## Synonyms
- heavy
- substantial
- powerhouse
- major figure
- leading figure

## Antonyms
- light
- lightweight
- minor figure
- nonentity

## Derived Forms
- superheavyweight
- nonheavyweight

## Related Forms
- heavy
- weight
- light heavyweight
- cruiserweight
- lightweight

## Etymology
A compound of heavy + weight, first used for a person or thing above average weight and then for the highest weight classes in sport. The figurative sense extends physical weight to exceptional power, prominence, influence, or ability.

## Topics
- Describing Qualities

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heavyweight

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