Standard Lemma guide

pound-for-pound

adv · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

adv

Meaning 1

A comparison of fighters' (usually boxers) skill levels, regardless of what weight class they are in.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: not-comparable

Topics: boxing, government, hobbies, lifestyle, martial-arts, military, politics, sports, war

Examples

  • Sugar Ray Robinson is pound for pound the best boxer ever.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adv

Meaning 2

Pertaining to how any two things compare when bearing in mind their real or relative, figurative weight.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: not-comparable

Examples

  • A tin of tomatoes weighing 250 g and costing $2.50 is more expensive, pound-for-pound, than one weighing 500 g and costing $4 (as the former costs $1.00 per 100 g and the latter $0.80 per 100 g).
  • My gal is pound for pound sweeter than chocolate.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.