Weigh vs. Weight: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Weigh is a verb, to measure the heaviness of an object. Weight is a noun, the measurement of how heavy something is.
Key Differences
Weigh is a verb, meaning to determine or measure the mass or heaviness of an object. Weight is a noun, referring to the measurement itself or the heaviness of an object.
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Nov 21, 2023
Weigh is used to describe the action of measuring weight, like weighing produce at a grocery store. Weight is used to denote the measurement, such as saying something has a weight of 10 pounds.
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Nov 21, 2023
Weigh can be used in different tenses and forms, like weighed or weighing, depending on the sentence. Weight, being a noun, can be used in singular or plural form (weights) and can be modified by adjectives.
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Nov 21, 2023
Weigh is often used in phrases like 'weigh in' or 'weigh on,' which can have literal or figurative meanings. Weight is used in expressions like 'carry weight' or 'the weight of the world,' often metaphorically.
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Nov 21, 2023
Weigh implies a process or action, the act of finding out the weight of something. Weight refers to the concept or quantity of mass an object possesses.
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Nov 21, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Meaning
To measure the heaviness of something.
The measurement of how heavy something is.
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Nov 21, 2023
Usage
"I need to weigh these apples."
"The weight of these apples is one pound."
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Nov 21, 2023
Linguistic Variations
Used in various tenses (weigh, weighing, weighed).
Can be singular or plural (weight, weights).
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Nov 21, 2023
Contextual Applications
Often used in contexts of measuring or balancing.
Often refers to the physical or metaphorical heaviness.
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Nov 21, 2023
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Weigh and Weight Definitions
Weigh
To determine the heaviness of an object.
Please weigh the luggage before we check in.
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Nov 21, 2023
Weight
A unit or system of units used for expressing how heavy something is.
The weight is measured in pounds and ounces in the U.S.
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Nov 21, 2023
Weigh
To balance in the mind, consider.
She had to weigh the pros and cons of the decision.
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Nov 21, 2023
Weight
A mental or emotional burden.
The weight of the news had a profound effect on her.
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Nov 21, 2023
Weigh
To burden, press heavily on.
The responsibilities weigh heavily on his shoulders.
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Nov 21, 2023
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Weight
A measure of the heaviness of an object
A contest to guess the weight of a pig.
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Oct 19, 2023
Weigh
To measure or apportion (a certain quantity) by weight.
The chef weighed out the flour for the recipe.
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Nov 21, 2023
Weight
The force with which a body is attracted to Earth or another celestial body, equal to the product of the object's mass and the acceleration of gravity.
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Oct 19, 2023
Weigh
To determine the weight of, as with a scale
Weighed the tomatoes before buying them.
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Oct 19, 2023
Weight
A unit measure of gravitational force
A table of weights and measures.
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Oct 19, 2023
Weigh
To measure or apportion (a certain quantity) by weight. Often used with out
Weighed out a pound of cheese.
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Oct 19, 2023
Weigh
To balance in the mind in order to make a choice; ponder or evaluate
Weighed the alternatives and decided to stay.
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Oct 19, 2023
Weight
(Sports) A heavy object, such as a dumbbell, lifted for exercise or in athletic competition.
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Oct 19, 2023
Weigh
To have consequence or importance
The decision weighed heavily against us.
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Oct 19, 2023
Weigh
To cause to bend heavily by added weight. Used with on or upon
A coating of ice that weighed on the slender branches.
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Oct 19, 2023
Weight
(Statistics) A factor assigned to a number in a computation, as in determining an average, to increase or decrease the number's effect on the computation, reflecting its importance.
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Oct 19, 2023
Weigh
To be burdensome or oppressive. Used with on or upon
These concerns have been weighing on us for weeks.
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Oct 19, 2023
Weight
The greater part; preponderance
The weight of the evidence is against the defendant.
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Oct 19, 2023
Weight
Influence, importance, or authority
Her approval carried great weight.
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Oct 19, 2023
Weigh
(transitive) Often with "out", to measure a certain amount of something by its weight, e.g. for sale.
He weighed out two kilos of oranges for a client.
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Oct 19, 2023
Weight
(Sports) A classification according to comparative lightness or heaviness. Often used in combination
A heavyweight boxer.
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Oct 19, 2023
Weigh
To determine the intrinsic value or merit of an object, to evaluate.
You have been weighed in the balance and found wanting.
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Oct 19, 2023
Weight
The heaviness or thickness of a fabric in relation to a particular season or use. Often used in combination
A summerweight jacket.
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Oct 19, 2023
Weight
To make heavy or heavier
Our backpacks were weighted down with food and other essentials.
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Oct 19, 2023
Weight
To cause to feel concerned, sad, or preoccupied; burden or oppress
He was weighted with guilt.
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Oct 19, 2023
Weight
To increase the weight or body of (fabrics) by treating with chemicals.
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Oct 19, 2023
Weigh
(intransitive) To be considered as important; to have weight in the intellectual balance.
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Oct 19, 2023
Weight
To cause to have a slant or bias
Weighted the rules in favor of homeowners.
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Oct 19, 2023
Weight
(Sports) To assign to (a horse) the weight it must carry as a handicap in a race.
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Oct 19, 2023
Weight
The force on an object due to the gravitational attraction between it and the Earth (or whatever astronomical object it is primarily influenced by).
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Oct 19, 2023
Weigh
A corruption of Way, used only in the phrase under weigh.
An expedition was got under weigh from New York.
The Athenians . . . hurried on board and with considerable difficulty got under weigh.
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Oct 19, 2023
Weight
A standardized block of metal used in a balance to measure the mass of another object.
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Oct 19, 2023
Weigh
A certain quantity estimated by weight; an English measure of weight. See Wey.
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Oct 19, 2023
Weigh
To bear up; to raise; to lift into the air; to swing up; as, to weigh anchor.
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Oct 19, 2023
Weight
(weightlifting) An object, such as a weight plate or barbell, used for strength training.
He's working out with weights.
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Oct 19, 2023
Weigh
To examine by the balance; to ascertain the weight of, that is, the force with which a thing tends to the center of the earth; to determine the heaviness, or quantity of matter of; as, to weigh sugar; to weigh gold.
Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.
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Oct 19, 2023
Weigh
To be equivalent to in weight; to counterbalance; to have the heaviness of.
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Oct 19, 2023
Weight
(physics) Mass (atomic weight, molecular weight, etc.) in restricted circumstances
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Oct 19, 2023
Weigh
To pay, allot, take, or give by weight.
They weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver.
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Oct 19, 2023
Weigh
To examine or test as if by the balance; to ponder in the mind; to consider or examine for the purpose of forming an opinion or coming to a conclusion; to estimate deliberately and maturely; to balance.
A young man not weighed in state affairs.
Had no better weighedThe strength he was to cope with, or his own.
Regard not who it is which speaketh, but weigh only what is spoken.
In nice balance, truth with gold she weighs.
Without sufficiently weighing his expressions.
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Oct 19, 2023
Weigh
To consider as worthy of notice; to regard.
All that she so dear did weigh.
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Oct 19, 2023
Weight
(statistics) A variable which multiplies a value for ease of statistical manipulation.
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Oct 19, 2023
Weigh
To be considered as important; to have weight in the intellectual balance.
Your vows to her and me . . . will even weigh.
This objection ought to weigh with those whose reading is designed for much talk and little knowledge.
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Oct 19, 2023
Weight
(typography) The boldness of a font; the relative thickness of its strokes.
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Oct 19, 2023
Weigh
To bear heavily; to press hard.
Cleanse the stuffed bosom of that perilous stuffWhich weighs upon the heart.
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Oct 19, 2023
Weight
(visual art) The relative thickness of a drawn rule or painted brushstroke, line weight.
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Oct 19, 2023
Weigh
Show consideration for; take into account;
You must consider her age
The judge considered the offender's youth and was lenient
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Oct 19, 2023
Weight
The resistance against which a machine acts, as opposed to the power which moves it.
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Oct 19, 2023
Weigh
To be oppressive or burdensome;
Weigh heavily on the mind
Something pressed on his mind
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Oct 19, 2023
Weight
The quality of being heavy; that property of bodies by which they tend toward the center of the earth; the effect of gravitative force, especially when expressed in certain units or standards, as pounds, grams, etc.
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Oct 19, 2023
Weight
The quantity of heaviness; comparative tendency to the center of the earth; the quantity of matter as estimated by the balance, or expressed numerically with reference to some standard unit; as, a mass of stone having the weight of five hundred pounds.
For sorrow, like a heavy-hanging bell,Once set on ringing, with his own weight goes.
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Oct 19, 2023
Weight
Hence, pressure; burden; as, the weight of care or business.
For the public all this weight he bears.
[He] who singly bore the world's sad weight.
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Oct 19, 2023
Weight
Importance; power; influence; efficacy; consequence; moment; impressiveness; as, a consideration of vast weight.
In such a point of weight, so near mine honor.
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Oct 19, 2023
Weight
A scale, or graduated standard, of heaviness; a mode of estimating weight; as, avoirdupois weight; troy weight; apothecaries' weight.
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Oct 19, 2023
Weight
A ponderous mass; something heavy; as, a clock weight; a paper weight.
A man leapeth better with weights in his hands.
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Oct 19, 2023
Weight
A definite mass of iron, lead, brass, or other metal, to be used for ascertaining the weight of other bodies; as, an ounce weight.
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Oct 19, 2023
Weight
The resistance against which a machine acts, as opposed to the power which moves it.
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Oct 19, 2023
Weight
To load with a weight or weights; to load down; to make heavy; to attach weights to; as, to weight a horse or a jockey at a race; to weight a whip handle.
The arrows of satire, . . . weighted with sense.
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Oct 19, 2023
Weight
To assign a weight to; to express by a number the probable accuracy of, as an observation. See Weight of observations, under Weight.
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Oct 19, 2023
Weight
To assign a numerical value expressing relative importance to (a measurement), to be multiplied by the value of the measurement in determining averages or other aggregate quantities; as, they weighted part one of the test twice as heavily as part 2.
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Oct 19, 2023
Weight
Sports equipment used in calisthenic exercises and weightlifting; a weight that is not attached to anything and is raised and lowered by use of the hands and arms
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Oct 19, 2023
Weight
The relative importance granted to something;
His opinion carries great weight
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Oct 19, 2023
Weight
An oppressive feeling of heavy force;
Bowed down by the weight of responsibility
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Oct 19, 2023
Weight
A unit used to measure weight;
He placed two weights in the scale pan
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Oct 19, 2023
Weight
(statistics) a coefficient assigned to elements of a frequency distribution in order to represent their relative importance
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Oct 19, 2023
Weight
Present with a bias;
He biased his presentation so as to please the share holders
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Oct 19, 2023
Weight
The measurement of how heavy something is.
The weight of the backpack made it difficult to carry.
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Nov 21, 2023
Weight
A heavy object used to add stability or provide exercise.
He lifted weights at the gym to build muscle.
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Nov 21, 2023
Weight
Importance, influence, or significance.
Her opinion carries a lot of weight in the team.
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Nov 21, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can weigh have a figurative meaning?
Yes, it can mean to consider or ponder something.
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Nov 21, 2023
How is weight measured?
Weight is measured in units like pounds, kilograms, or stones.
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Nov 21, 2023
What does the weight of an object indicate?
The weight indicates how heavy the object is.
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Nov 21, 2023
Is it correct to say "weigh a decision"?
Yes, it means to consider or ponder a decision carefully.
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Nov 21, 2023
Can weight refer to emotional burdens?
Yes, weight can metaphorically mean emotional or mental burden.
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Nov 21, 2023
Is weigh used only in physical contexts?
No, it can also be used in metaphorical or abstract contexts.
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Nov 21, 2023
Does weight always refer to physical mass?
No, it can also refer to influence or significance.
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Nov 21, 2023
Does weigh have different meanings in science?
In science, weigh strictly refers to measuring mass.
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Nov 21, 2023
Is "weigh out" a common phrase?
Yes, it means to measure a quantity by weight.
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Nov 21, 2023
Can weight be used figuratively in writing?
Yes, to denote importance or gravity of a situation or opinion.
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Nov 21, 2023
Is weight a static measurement?
Weight can vary depending on context, such as physical weight or influence.
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Nov 21, 2023
What does "weigh in" mean?
It can mean to give an opinion or to measure weight.
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Nov 21, 2023
What does "weigh on" mean?
It means to burden or press heavily on someone's mind.
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Nov 21, 2023
Does weight have a plural form?
Yes, weights, as in different measures or heavy objects.
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Nov 21, 2023
Is weight used in sports?
Yes, especially in contexts like weightlifting or boxing categories.
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Nov 21, 2023
Can weight be an emotional term?
Yes, referring to emotional or psychological burden.
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Nov 21, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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