out·size
ˈau̇t-ˌsīz 
: an unusual size
especially
: a size larger than the standard
Nightgowns are generally made in three sizes—small, medium and outsize. —
Amy K. Smith
Amy K. Smith
out·size
ˈau̇t-ˌsīz
variants
or less commonly outsized
1
: unusually large or heavy
Physically he is outsize, standing six feet three and weighing 225 pounds …—Neil M. Clark
Neil M. Clark2
: exaggerated or extravagant in size or degree
… they loved Mayweather for his outsize persona and the reminder it carries of the sport's past glories.—Carlo Rotella
Carlo RotellaHe was wearing a huge fur hat, a purple jacket with outsize shoulders, and two pairs of spectacles, in tiers, emphasizing the narrow length of his face.—Anthony Haden-Guest
Anthony Haden-GuestExamples of outsize in a Sentence
Adjective
an outsize cat who weighs 25 pounds
she likes to make dramatic appearances wearing her trademark outsize sunglasses
Recent Examples on the Web
Katie Campione, Deadline, 5 Aug. 2025
Because Caltrans is widening a highway facility and personal vehicles contribute an outsize portion of damaging greenhouse gases, the project has stirred some controversy.
—Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 25 July 2025
In addition to having an outsize effect on inflation data, summer price increases are hitting during the peak months—when beef sales traditionally peak because of outdoor gatherings—further underscoring the growing issue.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 July 2025
The explanation hinges on math’s harmonic series and the physics concept of center of mass, two seemingly simple ideas with outsize power.
—Jack Murtagh, Scientific American, 6 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for outsize
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adjective
Also worth remembering this is just U.S. viewership, and Prime Video has said the series is also showing outsize performance in the UK, Germany, and Brazil.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 5 Aug. 2025
Because Caltrans is widening a highway facility and personal vehicles contribute an outsize portion of damaging greenhouse gases, the project has stirred some controversy.
—Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 25 July 2025
In addition to having an outsize effect on inflation data, summer price increases are hitting during the peak months—when beef sales traditionally peak because of outdoor gatherings—further underscoring the growing issue.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 July 2025
The explanation hinges on math’s harmonic series and the physics concept of center of mass, two seemingly simple ideas with outsize power.
—Jack Murtagh, Scientific American, 6 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for outsize
Cite this Entry
“Outsize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outsize. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
outsize
1 of 2 noun
out·size
ˈau̇t-ˌsīz
: a size different and especially larger than the standard
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share