Deadweight Meaning in English

word

US

UK

Definition

The weight of something that does not move by itself, especially a load being carried. It can also mean a person or thing that slows you down or is a burden.

Usage & Nuances

Used in technical contexts (like 'deadweight tonnage' in shipping) and in everyday speech to describe someone or something useless or burdensome. Can refer to both physical weight and metaphorical burdens ('carrying deadweight'). More negative than just 'weight'.

• Spanish: lastre (peso) - carga inútil (sentido figurado)
• Portuguese (BR): peso morto - peso inútil
• Portuguese (PT): peso morto - carga inútil
• Chinese (Simplified): 死重 - 累赘
• Chinese (Traditional): 死重 - 累贅
• Hindi: डेडवेट (भार) - बोझ
• Arabic: الوزن الميت - عبء (معنوي)
• Bengali: অচল বোঝা - বোঝা (আর্থিক বা মানসিক)
• Russian: балласт - мёртвый груз
• Japanese: お荷物（おにもつ） - 死重（しじゅう）
• Vietnamese: gánh nặng - trọng lượng không tự di chuyển
• Korean: 짐 - 무게추(선박 등에서)
• Turkish: ölü ağırlık - yük (kişiye veya kuruma, mecaz)
• Urdu: بے جان بوجھ - بوجھ (نقصان دہ)
• Indonesian: beban mati - beban (yang menyulitkan)

Example Sentences

He struggled to lift the deadweight of the box.

basic

The broken car was a deadweight on the road.

basic

She felt like a deadweight at the party because she didn't know anyone.

basic

Ever since the budget cuts, that department has turned into a deadweight for the company.

natural

I don't want to be a deadweight on this team, so let me know how I can help.

natural

Carrying his friend home after the injury was like dragging a deadweight.

natural