undersized

adjective

un·​der·​sized ˌən-dər-ˈsīzd 

variants or less commonly undersize

ˌən-dər-ˈsīz 

: of a size less than is common, proper, normal, or average

undersized trout

Synonyms of undersized

• diminutive
• small
• little

Examples of undersized in a Sentence

He is undersized for a basketball player.

though a football all-star in high school, he was just a mediocre, undersized player at the college level

Recent Examples on the Web

Still undersized for his height, Essengue was knocked off his line by bulkier forwards such as Boozer while attempting to drive baseline to the basket. — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2026

Lekkerimäki, effectively, is both undersized, struggles to maintain possession of the puck along the wall, is an ineffectual defender and isn’t quick or fast enough to create the separation required to leverage his offensive tools against checkers. — Thomas Drance, New York Times, 30 June 2026

Linebacker Kyle Louis, who is undersized as a converted safety, may have dropped based on that tangible flaw — the same way Bell did for his torn ACL last college season — but there was value in picking up the highly motivated prospect in the fourth round. — David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 26 June 2026

In an undersized team that already shares a worldview, the silicon sycophant doesn't catch the blind spot. — Matt Poepsel, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1706, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for undersized

• acclimatized
• aerosolized
• alphabetized
• aluminized
• anaesthetized
• anesthetized
• annualized
• antagonized
• apologised
• apologized
• capitalised
• capitalized

Kids Definition

undersized

adjective

un·​der·​sized ˌən-dər-ˈsīzd 

: smaller than is usual or standard

undersized fruit