size
1the spatial dimensions, proportions, magnitude, or bulk of anything: the size of a farm; the size of the fish you caught.
considerable or great magnitude: to seek size rather than quality.
one of a series of graduated measures for articles of manufacture or trade: children's sizes of shoes.
actual condition, circumstance, or state of affairs: That's about the size of it.
a number of population or contents: What size is Springfield, Illinois? The size of that last shipment was only a dozen.
Obsolete. a fixed standard of quality or quantity, as for food or drink.
to separate or sort according to size.
to make of a certain size.
Metallurgy. to press (a sintered compact) to close tolerances.
Obsolete. to regulate or control according to a fixed standard.
size up, Informal.
to form an estimate of (a situation, person, etc.); judge: They sized him up with a look.
to meet a certain standard: He doesn't size up to my expectations.
Idioms about size
of a size, of the same or similar size: The two poodles are of a size.
try on for size,
to put on briefly in order to test the fit of, as a garment or shoes.
to consider, evaluate, do, or use before taking further action: We'll try the plan on for size to see whether it's practical.
Origin of size
1synonym study For size
Words that may be confused with size
- sighs, size
Other definitions for size (2 of 2)
any of various gelatinous or glutinous preparations made from glue, starch, etc., used for filling the pores of cloth, paper, etc., or as an adhesive ground for gold leaf on books.
to coat or treat with size.
Origin of size
2Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for size (1 of 2)
/ (saɪz) /
the dimensions, proportions, amount, or extent of something
large or great dimensions, etc
one of a series of graduated measurements, as of clothing: she takes size 4 shoes
informal state of affairs as summarized: he's bankrupt, that's the size of it
to sort according to size
(tr) to make or cut to a particular size or sizes
Origin of size
1usage For size
Derived forms of size
- sizer, noun
British Dictionary definitions for size (2 of 2)
/ (saɪz) /
Also called: sizing a thin gelatinous mixture, made from glue, clay, or wax, that is used as a sealer or filler on paper, cloth, or plaster surfaces
(tr) to treat or coat (a surface) with size
Origin of size
2Derived forms of size
- sizy, adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with size
In addition to the idiom beginning with size
- size up
also see:
- cut down (to size)
- pick on (someone your own size)
- take down a notch (to size)
- that's about the size of it
- try on (for size)
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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