size

1 of 5

noun (1)

ˈsīz 

1

a

: physical magnitude, extent, or bulk : relative or proportionate dimensions

b

: relative aggregate amount or number

c

: considerable proportions : bigness

2

: one of a series of graduated measures especially of manufactured articles (as of clothing) conventionally identified by numbers or letters

a size seven hat

3

: character, quality, or status of a person or thing especially with reference to importance, relative merit, or correspondence to needs

Try this idea on for size.

4

: actual state of affairs

That's about the size of it.

5

dialectal British : assize sense 2a

—usually used in plural

6

obsolete : a fixed portion of food or drink

size

2 of 5

verb (1)

sized; sizing

transitive verb

1

: to make a particular size : bring to proper or suitable size

2

: to arrange, grade, or classify according to size or bulk

intransitive verb

: to equal in size or other particular characteristic : compare

—usually used with up and often with to or with

size

3 of 5

adjective

ˈsīz 

ˌsīz

: sized

—usually used in combination

size

4 of 5

noun (2)

ˈsīz 

: any of various glutinous materials (such as preparations of glue, flour, varnish, or resins) used for filling the pores in surfaces (as of paper, textiles, leather, or plaster) or for applying color or metal leaf (as to book edges or covers)

size

5 of 5

verb (2)

sized; sizing

transitive verb

: to cover, stiffen, or glaze with or as if with size

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• bulk
• dimension
• extent
• magnitude
• measure
• measurement
• proportion

Noun (2)

• adhesive
• bond
• cement
• glue

Examples of size in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The larger 100-liter size is also on sale for $90 ($60 off). —Scott Gilbertson, WIRED, 24 Nov. 2023

The bra comes in sizes S–XXL, which should fit cup sizes A–D, according to the size chart. —Nicola Fumo, Peoplemag, 24 Nov. 2023

Its sale section features some excellent pairs for walking and running, but sizes are selling out fast. —Malia Griggs, SELF, 24 Nov. 2023

The compact size and weight also are perfect for toasting marshmallows. —Brandi Fuller, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Nov. 2023

The cost of those tax credits depends on several factors, including risk and size. —Lauren Hirsch, New York Times, 23 Nov. 2023

But even though this bag is compact, don’t let its size fool you. —Alexandra Domrongchai, Travel + Leisure, 23 Nov. 2023

To settle a debate about the size of the Milky Way—which was then thought to be the entire universe—Hubble needed to determine Andromeda’s distance from us. —WIRED, 12 Nov. 2023

Such roadside bunkers, about the size of walk-in closets, began appearing in areas near the Gaza border after Hamas and other armed groups started firing rockets into Israel over 20 years ago. —Isabel Kershner Amit Elkayam, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2023

Verb

The bra comes in sizes S–XXL, which should fit cup sizes A–D, according to the size chart. —Nicola Fumo, Peoplemag, 24 Nov. 2023

However, sizing is a bit more limited here with just XS through XL. —Dorian Smith-Garcia, Parents, 20 Nov. 2023

Since many couples want to share their weddings on social media, a videographer can also provide specific additional edits that are properly sized down for different platforms, as well as the full-length film. —Shelby Wax, Vogue, 17 Nov. 2023

What to Consider This style runs slightly large, so consider sizing down for a more flattering boyfriend-style fit. —Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 16 Nov. 2023

The new House speaker, Mike Johnson, has touted some extremely controversial opinions as a member of the far-right House Freedom Caucus—but few as unsavory as his apparent hatred for a woman’s right to choose, sizing a woman’s worth up as her ability to create more workers for American businesses. —Ellie Quinlan Houghtaling, The New Republic, 26 Oct. 2023

This Topshop version is made with non-stretch, true-to-size denim, so make sure to look at the sizing chart to get the right fit. —Alexandra Domrongchai, Travel + Leisure, 2 Nov. 2023

This is another boot with sizing to fit most people. —Bob Beacham, Field & Stream, 1 Nov. 2023

The skort fit accurately based on sizing expectations and given the in-seam length had more of a mini skirt look. —Madison Yauger, Peoplemag, 18 Oct. 2023

Adjective

While the largest banks remain well capitalized and safe, and the size diversity of the country’s banking system should be preserved, more may need to be done in overseeing mid-size banks and the nonbank sector. —Catarina Saraiva, Fortune, 29 June 2023

Mobile made the list for mid-size metros, landing at number 12 behind Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Florida. —Leada Gore | [e-mail], al, 7 Apr. 2023

This new model will compete with vehicles such as the BMW X6 and Mercedes GLE Coupe and will be positioned as a sportier alternative to the existing GV80 mid-size luxury SUV. —Joey Capparella, Car and Driver, 6 Apr. 2023

At Harris Reed's debut for Nina Ricci, Precious Lee opened the show — which also featured three more plus- and mid-size models. —Leah Dolan, CNN, 6 Apr. 2023

Chevy's staple mid-size SUV, the Equinox, saw sales decline 5.6% to 52,902. —Jamie L. Lareau, Detroit Free Press, 3 Apr. 2023

The executive didn’t reveal too much about the company’s latest EV but said it will be based on the mid-size SUV’s fourth generation and not the third, which is scheduled to debut in a matter of weeks. —Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 13 Mar. 2023

This classic cooler is a perfect mid-size option for tailgate parties and family get-togethers. —Theresa Holland, Peoplemag, 10 Mar. 2023

Megaships have capacities of around 2,000 to 6,000 passengers; mid-size ships carry about 1,000-2,500; small ships can hold around 1,200 or less. —Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 7 Mar. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English sise assize, from Anglo-French, short for assise — more at assize

Noun (2)

Middle English sise

First Known Use

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 5

Verb (1)

1609, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Adjective

1848, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

1667, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing size

• cut down to size
• cut to size/length
• full-size
• man-size
• that's about the size of it
• size up
• king-size
• bite-size
• for size
• queen-size
• trim size
• plus-size
• down to size
• pocket-size
• twin-size
• to size
• pint-size
• one-size-fits-all
• try (something) on for size
• life-size

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• cut down to size
• cut to size/length
• full-size
• man-size
• that's about the size of it
• size up
• king-size
• bite-size
• for size
• queen-size
• trim size
• plus-size
• down to size
• pocket-size
• twin-size
• to size
• pint-size
• one-size-fits-all
• try (something) on for size
• life-size

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Kids Definition

size

1 of 5 noun

ˈsīz 

1

: physical extent or bulk

2

a

: the measurements of a thing

b

: relative amount or number

3

: one of a series of measures especially of manufactured articles (as of clothing) usually identified by numbers or letters

size

2 of 5 verb

sized; sizing

1

: to make a particular size

2

: to arrange, grade, or classify according to size

3

: to form a judgment of

—used with up

sizing up the candidates

size

3 of 5 adjective

ˈsīz 

ˌsīz

: sized sense 1

medium-size

size

4 of 5 noun

ˈsīz 

: a gluey material (as a preparation of glue, flour, or varnish) used for filling the pores in a surface (as of plaster), as a stiffener (as of fabric), or as an adhesive

size

5 of 5 verb

sized; sizing

: to apply size to

Etymology

Noun

Middle English sise "a law, a law controlling weights and measures used in the marketplace, a fixed portion of food and drink," from early French sise (same meaning), from earlier assise "a lawmaking session, legal action," from asseoir "to seat," derived from Latin assidere "to sit beside, assist (a judge)," from ad- "toward, near" and sedēre "to sit"

Noun

Middle English sise "something gluey used as a filler, stiffener, or adhesive"