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gain weight — become heavier

collocationB1IELTS 5+neutralcommon

To become heavier, usually because of eating more or exercising less.

Say it like a native

Textbook I have accrued additional body mass.

Native I've gained some weight.

'Accrued additional body mass' is clinical; 'gain / put on weight' is natural.

Pattern: gain weight

In use

  • I tend to gain weight easily if I stop exercising.health
  • Many people gain weight when they start working in an office because they move less during the day.IELTS speaking

Common mistake

✗ I gained some weights over winter.

✓ I gained some weight over winter.

Uncountable — no 's' ('weights' = dumbbells).

Common collocations

  • gain weight — put on, some, a bit of, easily

Don't confuse it

The opposite is 'lose weight,' which means to become lighter.

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