1 B1 neutral
To be officially weighed before a sporting event, especially a boxing match or horse race.
"Both fighters weighed in at the official limit the morning before the championship bout."
inseparable
weigh in
B2 informal inseparable transitive/intransitive
To be officially weighed before a competition, or to join a discussion or argument with a strong opinion.
In plain English
To get on a scale to check your weight before a contest, or to speak up and share your strong opinion about something.
What does "weigh in" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic informal
To enter a conversation, debate, or argument and contribute a strong or forceful opinion.
"Several experts weighed in on the controversy, each offering a different perspective."
inseparable
3 B2 idiomatic informal
To contribute a specific amount to an effort, cost, or argument (often followed by 'with').
"The opposition leader weighed in with a blistering critique of the government's economic plan."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To step onto a weighing scale so your weight is recorded.
Actually means
To get on a scale to check your weight before a contest, or to speak up and share your strong opinion about something.
Usage tip
In the sports sense, it is used for boxing, wrestling, and horse racing. In the figurative sense, 'weigh in with' is a common construction: 'she weighed in with a sharp criticism.' This sense is common in journalism.
Words that pair with "weigh in"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
debate discussion argument opinion boxer jockey
How to conjugate "weigh in"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
weigh in
I/you/we/they
3rd person
weighs in
he/she/it
Past simple
weighed in
yesterday
Past participle
weighed in
have + pp
-ing form
weighing in
continuous
Hear "weigh in" in the wild
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Keep exploring
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