Definition

A person who competes in a specific weight class in boxing or other sports, typically weighing no more than 112 pounds (50.4 kilograms).

Example

The flyweight champion defended his title successfully in the ring last night.

Conversation

Did you watch the flyweight championship last night?

Yeah, it was so exciting!

I was surprised by how fast the flyweight fighters moved in the ring.

Right? Their agility makes the matches so thrilling to watch.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Flyweight → The word is formed from "fly" (from Old English *flēogan*, meaning to move through the air) and "weight" (from Old English *wiht*, meaning a measure of heaviness). The term "flyweight" refers to a weight class in boxing for lighter fighters, suggesting they are light enough to 'fly' in the ring.

Memory Tip

Imagine a boxer who is so light that they can 'move through the air' ('fly') easily, which is why they belong to the 'flyweight' class.

Visually Confused Words