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

Since then, astronomers have been studying the asteroid, estimating its size to be at least 30 metres wide.

Read more on Space Scoop

Each fruit sample was sealed in an airtight container, and the team recorded details including species, size, color and softness.

Read more on Science Daily

Silver, which typically tracks gold’s movements, has the potential for larger price swings as its smaller market size makes it more sensitive to fluctuations in the dollar.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

When I started out, the size of the balkanized art community was small.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

A vaccination programme began in mid-September -- a challenge in a country four times the size of France and where transportation infrastructure is limited and often in poor condition.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

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