undersized
Americanadjective
adjective
Etymology
Origin of undersized
Explanation
The adjective undersized describes something that is smaller than usual. Your Great Dane is undersized if he fits comfortably on your lap. A normal pony might weigh 450 pounds, while an undersized pony could be only 200 pounds. When something is undersized, it is smaller than average, often significantly smaller. An undersized t-shirt will be skin tight, and an undersized car might draw curious stares as it drives past. It's also correct to say undersize, although undersized is more common.
Vocabulary lists containing undersized
Kindred
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under (below)
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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.
Undersized, not the fastest, hardly a jumper, he plays like someone repeatedly told there were others ahead of him in line.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 14, 2026
Undersized at 5-foot-9 and 160 pounds, Schallock relied on guile, a sharp-breaking curveball and deceptive changeup.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 26, 2024
Undersized rookie sixth-round pick Deuce Vaughn had just 9 yards on eight carries.
From Washington Times • Oct. 2, 2023
Undersized FDU played big against the Boilermakers and became only the second No. 16 seed to topple a No. 1 seed.
From Seattle Times • Mar. 17, 2023
Undersized, thin, sallow, and sunburned,—bareheaded, barefooted, dirty, and ragged,—she formed a striking contrast to the rosy-cheeked, plump, full-lipped, and well-dressed young woman within.
From Mlle. Fouchette A Novel of French Life by Murray, Charles Theodore
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
