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
Alison Willmore, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2025
In recent years, the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau played an outsize role in fielding those complaints.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 9 Oct. 2025
The vote had outsize importance because of Moldova’s strategic location bordering Ukraine and NATO-member Romania, along with a long-running domestic conflict that has seen a breakaway region align with Moscow.
—Semafor Events, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Put another way, these communities have a small geographic footprint but are deliberately distributed so as to have an outsize political impact.
—Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for outsize
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Adjective
Cianfrance refuses to treat the other people in Jeffrey’s life like mere collateral in his outsize adventures.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2025
In recent years, the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau played an outsize role in fielding those complaints.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 9 Oct. 2025
The vote had outsize importance because of Moldova’s strategic location bordering Ukraine and NATO-member Romania, along with a long-running domestic conflict that has seen a breakaway region align with Moscow.
—Semafor Events, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Put another way, these communities have a small geographic footprint but are deliberately distributed so as to have an outsize political impact.
—Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 30 Sep. 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 13 Oct. 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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