size
1 Americannoun
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the spatial dimensions, proportions, magnitude, or bulk of anything.
the size of a farm; the size of the fish you caught.
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considerable or great magnitude.
to seek size rather than quality.
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one of a series of graduated measures for articles of manufacture or trade.
children's sizes of shoes.
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a fortune of great size.
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actual condition, circumstance, or state of affairs.
That's about the size of it.
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a number of population or contents.
What size is Springfield, Illinois? The size of that last shipment was only a dozen.
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Obsolete. a fixed standard of quality or quantity, as for food or drink.
verb (used with object)
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to separate or sort according to size.
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to make of a certain size.
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Metallurgy. to press (a sintered compact) to close tolerances.
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Obsolete. to regulate or control according to a fixed standard.
verb phrase
idioms
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of a size, of the same or similar size.
The two poodles are of a size.
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try on for size,
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to put on briefly in order to test the fit of, as a garment or shoes.
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to consider, evaluate, do, or use before taking further action.
We'll try the plan on for size to see whether it's practical.
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noun
verb (used with object)
noun
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the dimensions, proportions, amount, or extent of something
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large or great dimensions, etc
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one of a series of graduated measurements, as of clothing
she takes size 4 shoes
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informal state of affairs as summarized
he's bankrupt, that's the size of it
verb
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to sort according to size
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(tr) to make or cut to a particular size or sizes
noun
verb
Usage
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
Synonym Usage
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.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of size1
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English noun sise, syse, originally, “control, regulation, limit,” from Old French sise, shortening and alteration of assise assize
Origin of size2
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English noun sise, syse; perhaps special use of size 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Despite that success, NFL evaluators questioned his size, his peripatetic college career, and his ability to make his style work in a professional offense.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 2, 2026
And while training together for the big summit push by climbing a lower peak in Nepal in 2022, Nelson loses her footing in an avalanche the size of a small snow drift.
From Salon ● Nov. 1, 2026
Spanning an area the size of Singapore, the $700-million scheme is the first cross-border wind project in Asia and the largest wind farm in Southeast Asia.
From Barron's ● Nov. 1, 2026
"I wanted to take measurements to make it as realistic as possible, so we could build it to size," Dave said.
From BBC ● Oct. 31, 2026
Inside is a black metal device, the size and shape of a typewriter.
From "The Bletchley Riddle" by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin
Similarly sized American Girl dolls retail in 2026 for $135 and more.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 18, 2026
These precisely sized, spherical particles are engineered to dissolve within hours, potentially combining the advantages of temporary agents with the controlled delivery of permanent microspheres.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 14, 2026
The expansive private retreat includes its own sitting area, as well as separate bathrooms and generously sized wardrobe spaces.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 12, 2026
They will then play another 14 shows across Cairns, Sydney, Adelaide, Perth and Melbourne, with all gigs to be staged in a "stadium sized big-top" tent.
From BBC ● Oct. 11, 2026
On the other side of the desk, League staff sized up the migrants, trying, as an Urban League report explained, “to fit the workers to the jobs and the jobs to the workers.”
From "A Few Red Drops: The Chicago Race Riot of 1919" by Claire Hartfield
Bring it up too early and it can sound like you're sizing up their bank balance.
From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026
In normal times, making the supply chain work is merely a question of sizing and timing orders.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 1, 2026
First introduced in 1988, the Omega Speedmaster Reduced took the Speedmaster Professional — which comes in a sizable 42mm case sizing — and slimmed it down to a chill 39mm.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026
“We’re ants, we’re nothing,” I remember him saying, sizing up the state of the American left.
From Slate ● Aug. 7, 2026
He was accustomed to sizing up other rabbits and deciding what they were good for.
From "Watership Down: A Novel" by Richard Adams
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
