heavyweight

The boxing group for the heaviest fighters, or a fighter in that group.

• He fights as a heavyweight.
• Two heavyweights will compete for the title tonight.
• She moved up to heavyweight after gaining weight.

Common phrases: world heavyweight, heavyweight champion, heavyweight division

A person who is very large or has great strength, influence, or ability.

• He is a political heavyweight.
• Several intellectual heavyweights spoke at the conference.
• The doorman was a heavyweight who towered over us.

How to use it: a heavyweight in something (She is a heavyweight in the publishing industry.)

Similar words: major figure, powerhouse

Common phrases: intellectual heavyweight, political heavyweight, industry heavyweight

A sports group for heavier players, or a player in that group, especially in wrestling or weightlifting.

• The heavyweight won gold in judo.
• Two heavyweights reached the wrestling final.
• He competes at heavyweight in local weightlifting events.

Common phrases: judo heavyweight, heavyweight wrestler, heavyweight category

Belonging to a sports group for the heaviest fighters or players.

• He is a heavyweight boxer.
• She won the heavyweight title last year.
• The heavyweight wrestling final starts at six.

Common phrases: heavyweight boxer, heavyweight title, heavyweight bout

Heavier or thicker than similar things.

• Use heavyweight paper for the cards.
• This jacket is made from heavyweight cotton.
• The heavyweight fabric keeps out the cold.

Similar words: heavy, thick

Opposites: lightweight

Common phrases: heavyweight paper, heavyweight cotton, heavyweight fabric

Having great influence or success in a particular kind of work.

• They hired a heavyweight lawyer.
• Several heavyweight academics supported her research.
• A heavyweight investor joined the company board.

Similar words: leading, influential, prominent

Common phrases: heavyweight politician, heavyweight lawyer, heavyweight academic

Very important, serious, or impressive.

• The book offers heavyweight analysis.
• We listened to a heavyweight debate about education.
• This is a heavyweight report with major policy implications.

Similar words: important, substantial, impressive

Opposites: trivial

Common phrases: heavyweight analysis, heavyweight debate, heavyweight research