outsize

1 of 2

noun

out·​size ˈau̇t-ˌsīz How to pronounce outsize (audio)
: an unusual size
especially : a size larger than the standard
Nightgowns are generally made in three sizes—small, medium and outsize. Amy K. Smith

outsize

2 of 2

adjective

out·​size ˈau̇t-ˌsīz How to pronounce outsize (audio)
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
2
: 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
He 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

Examples 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
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
Policy solutions and public support: The report outlines numerous policy reforms to rein in excessive executive pay and buybacks, including higher corporate taxes for outsize pay gaps—a proposal supported by 80% of likely voters in a 2024 survey. Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2025 Its training data can also have an outsize impact on its responses, leading to the potential for bias. Richard Nieva, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025 But in the medium term, widespread adoption of AI could be hindered by multiple bottlenecks, including outsize energy requirements, data regulations, and legal liabilities. Kenneth S. Rogoff, Foreign Affairs, 19 Aug. 2025 The lack of spending caps gives PACs outsize power in elections, both nationally and locally. Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 19 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for outsize

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1845, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1812, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of outsize was in 1812

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Outsize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outsize. Accessed 2 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

outsize

1 of 2 noun
out·​size ˈau̇t-ˌsīz How to pronounce outsize (audio)
: a size different and especially larger than the standard

outsize

2 of 2 adjective
variants also outsized
: unusually large or heavy
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