SINCE 1828

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

sizar

play

noun siz·ar \ˈsī-zər\

variants: or less commonly

sizer

Definition of sizar

: a student (as in the university of Cambridge) who receives an allowance toward college expenses and who originally acted as a servant to other students in return for this allowance

Origin and Etymology of sizar

sizar alteration of sizer, from ¹size

NEW!

First Known Use: 1588

See Words from the same year

Learn More about sizar

See words that rhyme with sizar

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up sizar? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

WORD OF THE DAY

crucible

play

a severe test

Words at Play

Words and Phrases That Come from the Dinner Table

Fill your plate with these surprising food words

ghost-being-disinvited-from-party

'Disinvite' or 'Uninvite'?

A disinvited guest is an uninvited problem

alt-596f730ceb5ae

Words We're Watching: 'Scoby'

Kombucha lovers unite.

alt-596e1a928254c

Words We're Watching: 'Fidget Spinner'

Don't fight the fad

Ask the Editors

video-title-words-of-the-year-1066

Words of the Year: 1066

Or, Why Pig Meat is Called 'Pork' and Cow Meat is Called 'Beef'

How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Don't get us started on 'bimonthly'

video-irregardless-grammar-peeve-blend-of-the-synonyms-irrespective-and-regardless

Irregardless

It is in fact a real word (but that doesn't mean you should use it).

video-moose-goose-weird-plurals

Weird Plurals

One goose, two geese. One moose, two... moose. What's up with that?

Word Games

The Emoji Quiz

Think you’re an emoji 👓 expert? Let’s see 🤔

Take the quiz

A Game of Thrones Word Quiz

In the Game of Thrones quiz, you learn some new vocabulary. (It’s quite safe, really. You will not die.)

Take the quiz

How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

Take the quiz

Add Diction

Build a chain of words by adding one letter at a time.

Play the game