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
Ernesto Verdeja, The Conversation, 24 Apr. 2025
This results in a kind of cellular geometry, which Yunker found plays an outsize role in a biofilm’s overall fitness, measured by its ability to expand and take in nutrients.
—Carrie Arnold, Quanta Magazine, 21 Apr. 2025
Many notable Democrats, such as former President Barack Obama, have lined up to defend Harvard—the Trump administration's most recent and outsize funding target.
—Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025
The result is a small molecule with an outsize ability to offend the human nose.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for outsize
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Adjective
But to political scientists the image appears to laud Ukrainians’ outsize courage in contrast to foreign leaders who have appeared to be afraid of Russian nuclear threats.
—Ernesto Verdeja, The Conversation, 24 Apr. 2025
This results in a kind of cellular geometry, which Yunker found plays an outsize role in a biofilm’s overall fitness, measured by its ability to expand and take in nutrients.
—Carrie Arnold, Quanta Magazine, 21 Apr. 2025
Many notable Democrats, such as former President Barack Obama, have lined up to defend Harvard—the Trump administration's most recent and outsize funding target.
—Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025
The result is a small molecule with an outsize ability to offend the human nose.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 17 Apr. 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 1 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
outsize
1 of 2 noun
out·size
ˈau̇t-ˌsīz
: a size different and especially larger than the standard
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