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¹weigh

verb \ˈwā\

: to find how heavy (someone or something) is : to measure the weight of (someone or something)

: to have a specified weight

: to think carefully about (something) in order to form an opinion or make a decision

Full Definition of WEIGH

transitive verb

: to ascertain the heaviness of by or as if by a balance

a : outweigh

b : counterbalance

c : to make heavy : weight —often used with down

: to consider carefully especially by balancing opposing factors or aspects in order to reach a choice or conclusion : evaluate <weighing her options>

: to heave up (an anchor) preparatory to sailing

: to measure or apportion (a definite quantity) on or as if on a scales

intransitive verb

a : to have a certain heaviness : experience a specific force due to gravity

b : to register a weight (as on a scales) —used with in or out — compare weigh in

: to merit consideration as important : count <evidence will weigh heavily against him>

a : to press down with or as if with a heavy weight

b : to have a saddening or disheartening effect <guilt weighed on my mind>

: to weigh anchor

— weigh·able \ˈwā-ə-bəl\ adjective

— weigh·er noun

See weigh defined for English-language learners

See weigh defined for kids

Origin of WEIGH

Middle English weyen, from Old English wegan to move, carry, weigh — more at way

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to WEIGH

Synonyms: count, import, mean, signify, matter

Synonym Discussion of WEIGH

consider, study, contemplate, weigh mean to think about in order to arrive at a judgment or decision. consider may suggest giving thought to in order to reach a suitable conclusion, opinion, or decision <refused even to consider my proposal>. study implies sustained purposeful concentration and attention to details and minutiae <study the plan closely>. contemplate stresses focusing one's thoughts on something but does not imply coming to a conclusion or decision <contemplate the consequences of refusing>. weigh implies attempting to reach the truth or arrive at a decision by balancing conflicting claims or evidence <weigh the pros and cons of the case>.

Rhymes with WEIGH

a, ae, bay, bey, blae, brae, bray, chez, clay, Cray, day, dey, dray, eh, fay, fey, flay, fley, frae, fray, Frey, gay, Gay, gey, gley, gray, hay, he, hey, Hue, j, jay, Jay, k, kay, Kay, lay, lei, may, nay, né, née, neigh, Ney, pay, pe, play, pray, prey, qua, quai, quay, Rae, ray, re, say, shay, slay, sleigh, spae, spay, Spey, splay, spray, stay, stray, sway, Tay, they, tray, trey, way, whey, yea

²weigh

noun

Definition of WEIGH

: way —used in the phrase under weigh

Origin of WEIGH

alteration of way

First Known Use: 1777

WEIGH Defined for Kids

weigh

verb \ˈwā\

weighedweigh·ing

Definition of WEIGH for Kids

: to have weight or a specified weight <It weighs one pound.>

: to find the weight of <Use a scale to weigh the apples.>

: to think about as if weighing <He weighed their chances of winning.>

: to lift an anchor before sailing

— weigh down

: to cause to bend down

Headscratcher for WEIGH

Weigh, way, and whey sound the same but have different spellings and meanings. To weigh is to measure how heavy something is. A way is a path or road. Whey is the part of milk separated from the curd that Little Miss Muffet liked to eat!

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