weighty

Weighty is an English adjective with two principal senses. Literally, it describes something that has a lot of weight or mass. More commonly, though, it is used figuratively to indicate something of great significance, seriousness, or gravity. In this sense, weighty often modifies nouns such as issue, topic, decision, volume, argument, matter, or pause, signaling that the subject carries substantial consequence or importance.

Etymology and history: Weighty is formed from the noun weight, with the suffix -y to produce an adjective. The figurative sense—describing matters of importance by drawing on the notion of physical weight—developed in the English language and has become a standard part of formal and literary expression.

Usage and nuance: Weighty tends to appear in formal, scholarly, or literary contexts, or in carefully written prose. It conveys gravitas without implying dullness the way some synonyms might. It is distinct from synonyms like heavy or ponderous in connotation: heavy can be physical or burdensome, while ponderous can imply dullness or unwieldiness; weighty emphasizes importance, seriousness, or consequence.

Synonyms and related terms: heavy, substantial, important, grave, serious, momentous. Antonyms include light, trivial, inconsequential, insignificant.

Examples: A weighty decision that would alter the course of the project; a weighty volume on philosophy; the speaker avoided light banter in favor of weighty, carefully argued points.

See also: weight, gravity, seriousness, momentous. Weighty remains a useful word for highlighting the significance or gravity of topics, decisions, or texts in a concise, formal way.