size

1 of 5

noun (1)

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 How to pronounce size (audio)
ˌsīz
: sized
usually used in combination

size

4 of 5

noun (2)

: 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

Examples of size in a Sentence

Noun (1) we worried that the immense size of the sofa would make getting it through the doorway impossible Noun (2) coated the fabric with size before applying it to the wall
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Submarines are strange spaces: submarines are a workplace and temporary home for 100 to 130 people (sizes vary) like no other on earth. Avivah Wittenberg-Cox, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024 Department officials said the size of the fine against American reflected the large number of incidents, which included damaging wheelchairs or taking too long to return them to passengers after flights. David Koenig, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2024
Verb
Choose from 18 colors and patterns, including black and white stripes, burgundy, navy, and khaki, and sizes XS through XXL. Jamie Allison Sanders, People.com, 23 Oct. 2024 Even those without any skin sensitivities will love the super-soft feel of the pajamas and the wide range of styles and sizing options available. Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 21 Oct. 2024
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 | Lgore@al.com, al, 7 Apr. 2023 See all Example Sentences for size 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'size.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of size was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near size

Cite this Entry

“Size.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/size. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

size

1 of 5 noun
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 How to pronounce size (audio)
ˌsīz
: sized sense 1
medium-size

size

4 of 5 noun
: 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"

More from Merriam-Webster on size

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