makeweight

[ meyk-weyt ]

noun

1. something put in a scale to complete a required weight.
2. anything added to supply a lack.

makeweight

/ ˈmeɪkˌweɪt /

noun

1. something put on a scale to make up a required weight
2. an unimportant person or thing added to make up a lack

Word History and Origins

Origin of makeweight¹

First recorded in 1685–95; make ¹ + weight

Example Sentences

As Manchester City launched its ultimately unsuccessful attempts to sign a marquee striker during the transfer window, one player was regularly touted as a makeweight in negotiations.

From Seattle Times

As recently as January, Chelsea looked like nothing more than makeweights in the Champions League.

From New York Times

But it offers a glimmer, too, to those ordinarily cast as makeweights that this year, perhaps, might just be a little less of a procession.

From New York Times

There are makeweights, for sure: Eat at Home, Smile Away, 3 Legs.

From The Guardian

From the moment the Champions League’s groups had been drawn in August, Group G had the look of the most finely-poised, the least predictable: no obvious favorite, no vast financial disparity, no doomed makeweights.

From New York Times

Related Words

• accompaniment