outsize

1 of 2

noun

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

outsize

2 of 2

adjective

out·​size ˈau̇t-ˌsīz 

variants or less commonly outsized

ˈau̇t-ˌsīzd 

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

Synonyms

Adjective

• big
• biggish
• boxcar
• bulky
• considerable
• goodly
• grand
• great
• handsome
• hefty
• hulking
• husky
• large
• largish
• oversize
• oversized
• sizable
• sizeable
• substantial
• tidy
• voluminous

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

Adjective

She’s learned, for example, that an outsize reaction to her current partner’s comment might be related to something a former partner said. —Anna Medaris, Vox, 21 July 2024

Those outsize impacts add up to why Salle has dubbed the vessels a form of ecocide. —Eva Roytburg, Fortune Europe, 9 June 2024

But it is undeniably filled with characters with an outsize opinion of themselves and their own skills, as well as their importance to the community. —Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 9 July 2024

This kind of diplomatic Super Bowl is what comes with living in the District, a place both stubbornly proud of its outsize role in the world and exhausted by the presence of power. —Meagan Flynn, Washington Post, 7 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1845, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1812, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

outsize

1 of 2 noun

out·​size ˈau̇t-ˌsīz 

: a size different and especially larger than the standard

outsize

2 of 2 adjective

variants also outsized

-ˌsīzd 

: unusually large or heavy