undersized

adjective

un·​der·​sized ˌən-dər-ˈsīzd 

variants or less commonly undersize

ˌən-dər-ˈsīz 

: of a size less than is common, proper, normal, or average

undersized trout

Synonyms of undersized

• diminutive
• small
• little

Examples of undersized in a Sentence

He is undersized for a basketball player.

though a football all-star in high school, he was just a mediocre, undersized player at the college level

Recent Examples on the Web

Despite being at a size disadvantage against the 6-foot-7 Kamilla Cardoso, the undersized Valkyries rolled past the Chicago Sky 91-71. — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2026

The versatile-but-undersized linebacker from LSU is already earning first-team snaps and showing off some pass rush skills. — Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Fields is undersized, but uses his high football IQ to overcome any questions about his size (5-11, 185). — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Aug. 2026

However, Terrel Bernard is undersized by inside linebacker standards for a 3-4 scheme, and struggled last season. — Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1706, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for undersized

• acclimatized
• aerosolized
• alphabetized
• aluminized
• anaesthetized
• anesthetized
• annualized
• antagonized
• apologised
• apologized
• capitalised
• capitalized

Kids Definition

undersized

adjective

un·​der·​sized ˌən-dər-ˈsīzd 

: smaller than is usual or standard

undersized fruit