Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Adjusted to reflect value, importance, or proportion: Describing something that has been modified so that different parts or factors contribute unequally to the final result, based on their assigned significance.
   • Made heavy or burdened: Describing something that is made heavier or is weighed down, either physically or metaphorically.

Usage Examples

• Adjective (Adjusted for value/proportion):
  • The final grade is a weighted average, with the exam counting for 60%.
  • The survey results are weighted to accurately represent the national population.
  • This is a weighted decision, where safety carries more importance than cost.
• Adjective (Made heavy or burdened):
  • She felt a weighted sadness after hearing the news.
  • The fisherman used a weighted net to sink it quickly.
  • His steps were slow and weighted with exhaustion.

Advanced Usage

• "To be weighted in favor of/against something": To be designed or adjusted to give an advantage or disadvantage to a particular side, outcome, or group.
  • The tax system is perceived to be weighted in favor of large corporations.
  • The rules seem weighted against new participants.

Variants and Related Words

• Weight (n): The heaviness of an object; the importance or influence given to something.
• Weight (v): To attach a weight to something; to adjust calculations by assigning importance.
• Weighting (n): The factor by which a value is multiplied in a calculation; the assignment of importance.
• Unweighted (adj): Not adjusted for value or proportion; treating all factors equally.

Synonyms

• Adjusted, biased, slanted, loaded (for the "adjusted" sense).
• Burdened, heavy, leaden, encumbered (for the "made heavy" sense).

Related Phrases

• Weighted blanket: A blanket filled with materials to be heavier than a standard blanket, often used for therapeutic purposes.
• Weighted vote: A voting system where the votes of some individuals or groups count for more than others.

Adjective

1. adjusted to reflect value or proportion
   • votes weighted according to the size of constituencies
   • a law weighted in favor of landlords
   • a weighted average
2. made heavy or weighted down with weariness
   • his leaden arms
   • weighted eyelids