World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English DictionariesDeadweight
/ˈdɛd.weɪt/Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
2 senses- 1
Unwanted or useless people or things that drain resources or slow down progress.
"The company decided to restructure and cut loose the deadweight to improve overall productivity." - 2
The heavy, unyielding load or mass of an object, particularly in shipping or engineering contexts.
"The crane struggled to lift the deadweight of the sunken hull."
Thesaurus & Semantic Spectrum
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
Originating in the late 17th century as a nautical term, it originally referred to the heavy, inert cargo carried by a ship that did not generate freight revenue but was necessary for stability. Over time, the term expanded metaphorically to describe any useless, burdensome person or element that drains resources without providing value.
Which of the following is the closest synonym for "Deadweight"?
10 Global Lexicons: How "Deadweight" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
poids mort
Transliteration: /pwɑ mɔʁ/
"Nous devons nous débarrasser du poids mort dans notre équipe."
Ballast
Transliteration: /ˈbalast/
"Das Unternehmen muss unnötigen Ballast abwerfen."
peso morto
Transliteration: /ˈpɛ.zo ˈmɔr.to/
"Non possiamo permetterci di avere un peso morto nel progetto."
lastre
Transliteration: /ˈlastɾe/
"El equipo necesita deshacerse de ese lastre para avanzar."
peso morto
Transliteration: /ˈpe.zu ˈmɔʁ.tu/
"Ele sentia que era um peso morto para os seus colegas."
बोझ
Transliteration: bojh
"हमें अपनी टीम से बेकार बोझ को हटाना होगा।"
累赘
Transliteration: lěizhuì
"我们必须清理团队中的累赘。"
애물단지
Transliteration: aemuldanji
"그 프로젝트는 우리에게 큰 애물단지가 되었다."
お荷物
Transliteration: onimotsu
"彼はチームの中で完全なお荷物になっていた。"
Related Vocabulary Words to Explore
View all English termsAn assertion or proposition that is held to be objectively true and demands assent based on its purported alignment with reality.
The use of spoken or written words and phrases that indicate the structure, direction, and organization of a speech, presentation, or text.
An endeavor, undertaking, or effort that proves to be completely futile, wasted, or unsuccessful.
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