size

¹

[sahyz]

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.

3. one of a series of graduated measures for articles of manufacture or trade.

   children's sizes of shoes.

4. extent; amount; scope.

   a fortune of great size.

5. actual condition, circumstance, or state of affairs.

   That's about the size of it.

6. a number of population or contents.

   What size is Springfield, Illinois? The size of that last shipment was only a dozen.

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

verb (used with object)

sized, sizing 

1. to separate or sort according to size.

2. to make of a certain size.

3. Metallurgy.,  to press (a sintered compact) to close tolerances.

4. Obsolete.,  to regulate or control according to a fixed standard.

verb phrase

1. size up

   1. to form an estimate of (a situation, person, etc.); judge.

      They sized him up with a look.

   2. to meet a certain standard.

      He doesn't size up to my expectations.

size

²

[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, sizing 

1. to coat or treat with size.

size

¹

/ saɪz /

noun

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

2. large or great dimensions, etc

3. one of a series of graduated measurements, as of clothing

   she takes size 4 shoes

4. 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

size

²

/ 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

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

Other Word Forms

• sizer noun
• sizy adjective

Word History and Origins

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of size¹

C13: from Old French sise, shortened from assise _assize

Origin of size²

C15: perhaps from Old French sise; see _size ¹

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. of a size, of the same or similar size.

   The two poodles are of a size.

2. try on for size,

   1. to put on briefly in order to test the fit of, as a garment or shoes.

   2. to consider, evaluate, do, or use before taking further action.

      We'll try the plan on for size to see whether it's practical.

More idioms and phrases containing size

• 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)

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

A neighborhood bully can come in all shapes and sizes.

From Los Angeles Times

Given the superiority in size and dynamism, Heard could make valuable metres down Tessier's channel, who is unlikely to dominate the match-up physically.

From BBC

Private schools that are inspected by Ofsted pay an annual fee, which varies depending on their size.

From BBC

The team is hopeful that his small sample size of recent success has made him a legitimate postseason relief option.

From Los Angeles Times

Later, the big rig pulled up alongside an SUV and the passenger appeared to pick up an item, about the size of a phone, set on top of the SUV’s roof.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• amount 
• breadth 
• capacity 
• content 
• diameter 
• extent 
• height 
• intensity 
• length 
• magnitude 
• proportion 
• range 
• scope 
• stature 
• volume 
• width