undersized

American  

[uhn-der-sahyzd] / ˈʌn dərˈsaɪzd /

adjective

1. smaller than the usual or normal size.

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undersized British  

/ ˌʌndəˈsaɪzd /

adjective

1. of less than usual size

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Etymology

Origin of undersized

First recorded in 1650–60; under- + size ¹ + -ed ³

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.

Example Sentences

Jaquez came in as a 5-foot-11 freshman who played primarily as an undersized forward and would crash the net and collect rebounds.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 15, 2026

Sony's family-friendly animated film "GOAT" -- the story of an undersized goat who wants to join a basketball-like "roarball" team -- finished in fourth place at $6.6 million.

From Barron's • Mar. 8, 2026

Born in Follansbee, W.Va, Holtz grew up in Ohio and was an undersized linebacker at Kent State University.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 4, 2026

The film, the story of an undersized goat who wants to join a basketball-like "roarball" team, features Curry in a voice role.

From Barron's • Feb. 22, 2026

Fiver and Pipkin, limping behind the others, and conspicuously undersized and tired, were being attacked by the crow.

From "Watership Down: A Novel" by Richard Adams

Related Words

• miniature
• petite
• puny
• short
• small