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Synonyms

undersized

American  
[uhn-der-sahyzd] / ˈʌn dərˈsaɪzd /

adjective

  1. smaller than the usual or normal size.

undersized British  
/ ˌʌndəˈsaɪzd /

adjective

  1. of less than usual size

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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.

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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 at 5 feet 9 and 175 pounds, he became a fan favorite who starred for the Flames for nine years.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 30, 2024

Undersized veteran Donte Deayon played 88% of the defensive snaps two weeks removed from the practice squad, stepping up after rookie Robert Rochell got hurt.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 25, 2021

Undersized at 5-foot-7, he was a quick, darting skater who seemed to sense where the puck and his linemates were headed.

From New York Times • Mar. 9, 2021

Weaknesses: Undersized and had some drops last season.

From Washington Times • Apr. 20, 2020

Undersized, he had a balloon shaped stomach surmounted by a florid face between a pair of grayish whiskers.

From Mademoiselle Fifi by Maupassant, Guy de

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.