fit

adjective

ˈfit 

fitter; fittest

1

a

: acceptable from a particular viewpoint (as of competence or morality) : proper

a movie fit for the whole family

b(1)

: adapted to an end or design : suitable by nature or by art

… found him to be a fit officer and gentleman.

—Time

(2)

: adapted to the environment so as to be capable of surviving

2

: sound physically and mentally : healthy

keeps fit by playing tennis and handball

3

a

: put into a suitable state : made ready

get the house fit for company

getting the ship fit for sea

b

: being in such a state as to be or seem ready to do or suffer something

Fair fit to cry I was …

—Bryan MacMahon

laughing fit to burst

fitly adverb

see also:

fit to be tied fit to kill

Synonyms of fit

• suitable
• fitting
• appropriate
• fitted
• proper
• good

Choose the Right Synonym for fit

fit, suitable, meet, proper, appropriate, fitting, apt, happy, felicitous mean right with respect to some end, need, use, or circumstance.

fit stresses adaptability and sometimes special readiness for use or action.

fit for battle

suitable implies an answering to requirements or demands.

clothes suitable for camping

meet suggests a just proportioning.

meet payment

proper suggests a suitability through essential nature or accordance with custom.

proper acknowledgement

appropriate implies eminent or distinctive fitness.

an appropriate gift

fitting implies harmony of mood or tone.

a fitting end

apt connotes a fitness marked by nicety and discrimination.

apt quotations

happy suggests what is effectively or successfully appropriate.

a happy choice of words

felicitous suggests an aptness that is opportune, telling, or graceful.

a felicitous phrase

Examples of fit in a Sentence

Patients are encouraged to get fit.

Are you fit enough to walk there?

Recent Examples on the Web

As a bonus, the shoulder strap is adjustable for a comfy, custom fit. —Destinee Scott, Travel + Leisure, 2 June 2026

The bras ahead are designed with that in mind, offering a close fit, supportive underwire, and versatile straps that can be worn multiple ways. —Malia Griggs, Glamour, 1 June 2026

Defender Chris Richards wasn’t fit to play last night. —Phil Hay, New York Times, 1 June 2026

It is built through fit and form, through decisions that carry precision, weight and meaning at scale. —Goran Paun, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English; akin to Middle English fitten

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b(1)

Phrases Containing fit

• fit as a fiddle
• fit as a flea
• fit for a king
• fit (into/in) the mold of
• fit of laughter
• fit the bill
• fit the mold
• fit the pattern of
• fit to be tied
• fit to burst
• fit to kill
• goodness of fit
• have a fit
• hissy fit
• in no (fit) state
• pitch a fit
• see/think fit
• throw a fit

Rhymes for fit

• bit
• brit
• britt
• chit
• flit
• grit
• hit
• it
• kitt
• knit
• lit
• mitt

Kids Definition

fit

1 of 4 adjective

ˈfit 

fitter; fittest

1

: suitable for a particular purpose

water fit for drinking

especially : so adapted to the environment as to be capable of surviving

—often used in the phrase survival of the fittest

2

: acceptable from a particular point of view : proper

a movie fit for the whole family

3

: ready entry 1 sense 1, prepared

get the ship fit for sea

4

: qualified sense 1, competent

fit for the job

5

: sound physically and mentally : healthy

fitness noun

fit

2 of 4 noun

1

: a sudden violent attack of a disease or condition (as epilepsy) especially when marked by convulsions or loss of consciousness

2

: a sudden outburst (as of laughter or anger)

fit

3 of 4 verb

fitted or fit; fitting

1

: to be suitable for or to : befit

2

a

: to be of the right size and shape

the suit fits

b

: to insert or adjust until correctly in place

c

: to make a place or room for

fit another chair

3

: to be in agreement with

his story fits the facts

4

a

: to make ready : prepare

b

: to bring to a required form and size : adjust

5

: to supply what is needed for : equip

fit out an expedition

6

: to be in harmony or agreement : belong

—often used with in

fit

4 of 4 noun

1

: the way something fits

a tight fit

2

: a piece of clothing that fits

Etymology

Middle English fit "suitable to a particular purpose"

Old English fitt "strife"

Medical Definition

fit

1 of 3 noun

ˈfit 

1

: a sudden violent attack of a disease (as epilepsy) especially when marked by convulsions or unconsciousness : paroxysm

2

: a sudden but transient attack of a physical disturbance

fits of shivering

fit

2 of 3 adjective

fitter; fittest

1

: adapted to the environment so as to be capable of surviving

2

: sound physically and mentally : healthy

fitness noun

fit

3 of 3 noun

: the fact, condition, or manner of being fitted or adapted