size

1
[ sahyz ]
See synonyms for size on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. the spatial dimensions, proportions, magnitude, or bulk of anything: the size of a farm; the size of the fish you caught.

  2. considerable or great magnitude: to seek size rather than quality.

  1. one of a series of graduated measures for articles of manufacture or trade: children's sizes of shoes.

  2. extent; amount; scope: a fortune of great size.

  3. actual condition, circumstance, or state of affairs: That's about the size of it.

  4. a number of population or contents: What size is Springfield, Illinois? The size of that last shipment was only a dozen.

  5. Obsolete. a fixed standard of quality or quantity, as for food or drink.

verb (used with object),sized, siz·ing.
  1. to separate or sort according to size.

  2. to make of a certain size.

  1. Metallurgy. to press (a sintered compact) to close tolerances.

  2. Obsolete. to regulate or control according to a fixed standard.

Verb Phrases
  1. 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

  1. of a size, of the same or similar size: The two poodles are of a size.

  2. 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

1
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English noun sise, syse, originally, “control, regulation, limit,” from Old French sise, shortening and alteration of assise assize

synonym study For size

1. Size, volume, mass, bulk are terms referring to the extent or dimensions of that which has magnitude and occupies space. Size is the general word: of great size; small in size. Volume often applies to something that has no fixed shape: Smoke has volume. Mass, also, does not suggest shape, but suggests a quantity of matter in a solid body: a mass of concrete. Bulk suggests weight, and often a recognizable, though perhaps unwieldy, shape: the huge bulk of an elephant.

Words that may be confused with size

Other definitions for size (2 of 2)

size2
[ sahyz ]

noun
  1. 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.

verb (used with object),sized, siz·ing.
  1. to coat or treat with size.

Origin of size

2
First recorded in1400–50; late Middle English noun sise, syse; perhaps special use of size1

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for size (1 of 2)

size1

/ (saɪz) /


noun
  1. the dimensions, proportions, amount, or extent of something

  2. large or great dimensions, etc

  1. one of a series of graduated measurements, as of clothing: she takes size 4 shoes

  2. informal state of affairs as summarized: he's bankrupt, that's the size of it

verb
  1. to sort according to size

  2. (tr) to make or cut to a particular size or sizes

Origin of size

1
C13: from Old French sise, shortened from assise assize

usage For size

The use of -size and -sized after large or small is redundant, except when describing something which is made in specific sizes: a large (not large-size) organization. Similarly, in size is redundant in the expressions large in size and small in size

Derived forms of size

  • sizer, noun

British Dictionary definitions for size (2 of 2)

size2

/ (saɪz) /


noun
  1. 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

verb
  1. (tr) to treat or coat (a surface) with size

Origin of size

2
C15: perhaps from Old French sise; see size 1

Derived 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

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.