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-GuestSynonyms
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 WebVivienne Walt, Fortune, 4 Apr. 2024
Small businesses played an outsize role in the increase in job vacancies over the last three years, said Tuan Nguyen, U.S. economist at financial services firm RSM.
—J.j. McCorvey, NBC News, 4 Apr. 2024
The most enduring gift of their two-act performance may be that, perhaps for the first time, the leading characters are not the outsize coaching figures — Pat Summitt, Geno Auriemma, Tara VanDerveer and Dawn Staley — but the players themselves.
—Billy Witz, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2024
The result is a functional if unspectacular film that makes no outsize effort to speak to cultural conversations around the movie.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 1 Apr. 2024
Heavy-duty trucks have an outsize environmental footprint; larger industrial vehicles make up about 5% of the country's vehicle fleet, but 20% of transportation emissions.
—Camila Domonoske, NPR, 29 Mar. 2024
The outsize photograph, which covers an entire wall, was a gift from an early customer, a printer who owned the shot of Istanbul.
—Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 26 Mar. 2024
The change in the weather has had an outsize impact on the festivals, events and tourism that define the Great Lakes identity and produce the income of those living and working there.
—Whitney Wild, CNN, 23 Mar. 2024
For the harm to nature category, 69% met the criteria for significant concern, with nitrogen deposition playing an outsize role.
—Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2024
Adjective
But as long as Aramco is pumping oil, the financial and political clout that drives Saudi Arabia’s outsize ideas will be replenished far into the future.
—Vivienne Walt, Fortune, 4 Apr. 2024
Small businesses played an outsize role in the increase in job vacancies over the last three years, said Tuan Nguyen, U.S. economist at financial services firm RSM.
—J.j. McCorvey, NBC News, 4 Apr. 2024
The most enduring gift of their two-act performance may be that, perhaps for the first time, the leading characters are not the outsize coaching figures — Pat Summitt, Geno Auriemma, Tara VanDerveer and Dawn Staley — but the players themselves.
—Billy Witz, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2024
The result is a functional if unspectacular film that makes no outsize effort to speak to cultural conversations around the movie.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 1 Apr. 2024
Heavy-duty trucks have an outsize environmental footprint; larger industrial vehicles make up about 5% of the country's vehicle fleet, but 20% of transportation emissions.
—Camila Domonoske, NPR, 29 Mar. 2024
The outsize photograph, which covers an entire wall, was a gift from an early customer, a printer who owned the shot of Istanbul.
—Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 26 Mar. 2024
The change in the weather has had an outsize impact on the festivals, events and tourism that define the Great Lakes identity and produce the income of those living and working there.
—Whitney Wild, CNN, 23 Mar. 2024
For the harm to nature category, 69% met the criteria for significant concern, with nitrogen deposition playing an outsize role.
—Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'outsize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to outsize
Dictionary Entries Near outsize
Cite this Entry
“Outsize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outsize. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
outsize
1 of 2 noun
out·size
ˈau̇t-ˌsīz
: a size different and especially larger than the standard
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share