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

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Among other things, the district used federal money to add English and math teachers at the high school level, allowing for smaller class sizes, Pastusek said. Silas Allen, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Mar. 2024 At the other end of the scale, a mined alternative costs upwards of $16,000 at luxury brand Tiffany’s for the same size and style. Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune Europe, 4 Mar. 2024 For these styles, going up a size may be an option. Dorian Smith-Garcia, Parents, 4 Mar. 2024 Installing shelves on tile takes more effort than drilling into drywall, so be sure to choose the right size and type of tile bit for your drill. Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Mar. 2024 As of Sunday morning, the wildfire, which is now five times the size of New York City and larger than the entire state of Rhode Island, is only 15% contained. USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2024 Its size never really allowed for large aircraft, though, and eventually Northern Kentucky took that prize when Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International airport, better known as CVG, opened there. Erin Couch, The Enquirer, 3 Mar. 2024 The two species are so similar in size and color that even experts have a tough time telling them apart. Louis Sahagún, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2024 The company offers a bespoke program to accommodate uncommon head shapes or sizes. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 3 Mar. 2024
Verb
The median comparably sized Austin-area home lists for over $800,000, but these units are currently priced between $469,990 and $578,990. Jim Morrison, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Feb. 2024 First on the agenda should be keeping a pulse on emerging trends and stocking accordingly (the most popular flavors, multipacks, bottle/can size, etc.). Linnea Geiss, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024 Watch sizing back then was on a scale of 0-20 and most of the models Vortic sells are 10, 12 or 16 size, something for every wrist. Larry Olmsted, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024 Women often see a sizing reduction in their stomachs during their postpartum period. Nikita Charuza, Peoplemag, 20 Feb. 2024 That’s why Nike and I worked to make this collection as inclusive and accessible to everyone with flexible sizing options, so no one felt left out. Ruhama Wolle, Glamour, 15 Feb. 2024 However, most reviewers recommend sizing down since the jacket runs large. Andie Kanaras, Travel + Leisure, 28 Dec. 2023 Unless a bra runs large and won’t fit your usual size, Caldwell does not recommend sizing down. Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 2 Feb. 2024 There is the struggle to find the right fit, especially at a time when sizing is inconsistent across brands. Darshita Goyal, refinery29.com, 17 Dec. 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 | Lgore@al.com, 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

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 19 Mar. 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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