underweight

American  

[uhn-der-weyt, uhn-der-weyt] / ˈʌn dərˈweɪt, ˈʌn dərˌweɪt /

adjective

1. weighing less than is usual, required, or proper.

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noun

1. deficiency in weight below a standard or requirement.

underweight British  

/ ˌʌndəˈweɪt /

adjective

1. weighing less than is average, expected, or healthy

2. finance

   1. having a lower proportion of one's investments in a particular sector of the market than the size of that sector relative to the total market would suggest

   2. (of a fund etc) disproportionately invested in this way

      pension funds have become underweight of equities

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Etymology

Origin of underweight

First recorded in 1590–1600; under- + weight

Example Sentences

Lowering his recommendation to underweight from equal-weight, analyst Richard E. Wiles tells clients in a note that the probability of both earnings downgrades and trading multiple de-ratings across the sector is rising.

From The Wall Street Journal

It uses an individual’s weight and height to calculate a figure that fits into one of four categories: underweight, healthy weight, overweight and obesity.

From MarketWatch

It uses an individual’s weight and height to calculate a figure that fits into one of four categories: underweight, healthy weight, overweight and obesity.

From MarketWatch

The brokerage upgrades the sector to neutral from underweight as downside risks to earnings now seem more balanced.

From The Wall Street Journal

We look at where the managers are most “overweight,” meaning the assets on which they are placing their biggest bets, and most “underweight,” meaning the assets they are shunning.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• malnourished
• starved
• undernourished