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 of outsize

Adjective

• large
• sizable
• considerable
• substantial
• oversize
• big
• huge
• great

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

Technology stocks were the heaviest weights on the market, especially companies with huge values that give them outsize influence over the broader market’s direction. —Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2025

While large and small companies alike have been facing cost pressures from tariffs, smaller ones have likely taken an outsize hit. —Rob Wile, NBC news, 5 Nov. 2025

Only within the last generation has the field embraced the reality that humans have an outsize influence on the natural world. —Shaun McKinnon, AZCentral.com, 4 Nov. 2025

Still, even as much as Sweeney loves jeans, maybe she was unsettled by the outsize reaction to her ad promoting them. —Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1845, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1812, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for outsize

• advise
• applies
• apprise
• arise
• assize
• baptize
• belies
• bitwise
• capsize
• chastise
• chordwise
• clockwise

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