weighty

adjective

ˈwā-tē 

weightier; weightiest

1

a

: of much importance or consequence : momentous

a weighty problem

b

: solemn

2

a

: weighing a considerable amount

b

: heavy in proportion to its bulk

weighty metal

3

: powerful, telling

weighty arguments

weightily

ˈwā-tə-lē 

adverb

weightiness

ˈwā-tē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• grave
• heavy
• serious

Choose the Right Synonym for weighty

heavy, weighty, ponderous, cumbrous, cumbersome mean having great weight.

heavy implies that something has greater density or thickness than the average of its kind or class.

a heavy child for his age

weighty suggests having actual and not just relative weight.

a load of weighty boxes

ponderous implies having great weight because of size and massiveness with resulting great inertia.

ponderous elephants in a circus parade

cumbrous and cumbersome imply heaviness and bulkiness that make for difficulty in grasping, moving, carrying, or manipulating.

wrestled with the cumbrous furniture

early cameras were cumbersome and inconvenient

Examples of weighty in a Sentence

She grabbed a weighty book off the shelf.

The film deals with some weighty issues.

Those are weighty arguments in your favor.

He was a weighty figure in the art world.

Recent Examples on the Web

The overall impression was one of an ensemble walking on eggshells: little spark, little levity, little variety, too much weighty reverence. —Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 20 June 2025

Mixed attendance, no bombshells leave GOP with an echo chamber Despite the weighty subject matter, the hearing was sparsely attended and lacked the star witnesses or headline-making moments typical of high-profile Judiciary hearings. —Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 18 June 2025

This is a pen that is both weighty and lighthearted – fitting for the home of Bilbo and Frodo Baggins, whose life of bonhomie and good cheer was disrupted by adventure and dragons and ring wraiths and war. —Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025

Lead with humor Talking about weighty topics can be overwhelming for dads who don’t share a lot. —Angela Haupt, Time, 11 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for weighty

• eighty
• kati
• katy
• platy
• slaty

Kids Definition

weighty

adjective

ˈwāt-ē 

weightier; weightiest

1

: having much weight : heavy

2

a

: of much importance : serious

weighty problems

b

: showing seriousness : solemn

a weighty expression on her face

3

: having the power to influence or persuade

weighty arguments

weightily

ˈwāt-ᵊl-ē 

adverb

weightiness noun