Weigh: meaning, definitions and examples

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weigh

 

[ weɪ ]

Verb / Noun
Oxford 3000
Context #1 | Verb

measurement

To find out how heavy something is by measuring its weight on a scale.

Synonyms

assess, evaluate, measure.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
weigh

Use this when referring to the physical act of measuring weight or when considering pros and cons carefully.

  • She weighed herself on the scale.
  • He weighed the pros and cons before making a decision.
measure

This word is suitable when you are quantifying or determining the size, amount, or degree of something.

  • She measured the length of the table.
  • We need to measure the temperature accurately.
evaluate

Use this in professional, academic, and technical contexts when systematically determining the value or significance of something.

  • The researcher evaluated the effectiveness of the drug.
  • Managers regularly evaluate employees' performance.
assess

This word is typically used in contexts where you're making a judgment about the value, quality, or nature of something.

  • The teacher assessed the students' projects.
  • We need to assess the situation before taking any action.

Examples of usage

  • I need to weigh this package before I can send it.
  • She weighed herself on the bathroom scale.
Context #2 | Verb

consideration

To carefully consider and think about something before making a decision.

Synonyms

contemplate, evaluate, ponder.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
weigh

Used when considering something carefully before making a decision, often involving pros and cons.

  • She needs to weigh the pros and cons before accepting the job offer
ponder

Used when thinking about something carefully and for a long time, often involving speculation.

  • She likes to ponder the possible outcomes before making any major decisions
contemplate

Used when thinking deeply about something, often in a serious or reflective way.

  • He stood by the window to contemplate the meaning of life
evaluate

Used when making a judgment or assessment about something, often in a systematic or structured way.

  • The teacher will evaluate the student's performance based on the exam results

Examples of usage

  • Weighing the pros and cons of the situation, she finally made her choice.
  • It's important to weigh all possible outcomes before taking action.
Context #3 | Noun

unit of measurement

A unit used to measure the heaviness of an object.

Synonyms

burden, load, mass.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
weigh

Use this term when referring to the action of measuring weight or considering something carefully.

  • Please weigh the apples before buying them.
  • You need to weigh the pros and cons before making a decision.
mass

Generally used in scientific or mathematical contexts to describe the amount of matter in an object. It is more technical and less commonly used in everyday conversation.

  • The mass of the planet is much larger than that of Earth.
  • In physics class, we learned how to calculate the mass of an object.
load

This term is used when referring to something heavy that needs to be carried or a large amount of work. It can be used both literally and figuratively.

  • The truck carried a load of bricks to the construction site.
  • She has a heavy load of work to finish before the deadline.
burden

This word often has a negative connotation and is used when talking about something or someone causing stress or heavy responsibility.

  • Caring for his sick mother became a huge burden for him.
  • Financial difficulties have been a burden on their family.

Examples of usage

  • The box had a weight of 10 kilograms.
  • The weight of the car was too much for the bridge.

Translations

Translations of the word "weigh" in other languages:

🇵🇹 pesar

🇮🇳 वजन करना

🇩🇪 wiegen

🇮🇩 menimbang

🇺🇦 зважувати

🇵🇱 ważyć

🇯🇵 重さを測る

🇫🇷 peser

🇪🇸 pesar

🇹🇷 tartmak

🇰🇷 무게를 재다

🇸🇦 وزن

🇨🇿 vážit

🇸🇰 vážiť

🇨🇳 称重

🇸🇮 tehtati

🇮🇸 vigta

🇰🇿 салмақтау

🇬🇪 წონა

🇦🇿 çəkmək

🇲🇽 pesar

Etymology

The word 'weigh' dates back to Old English 'wegan' meaning 'to carry, move, bear'. Over time, the meaning evolved to include the concept of measuring heaviness. The use of scales for weighing objects has been a common practice for centuries, playing a crucial role in trade and commerce. The verb 'weigh' is also commonly used metaphorically to express the act of considering or evaluating something carefully before making a decision.

See also: weighbridge.

Word Frequency Rank

At #6,801 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.