size

1
[ sahyz ]
/ saɪz /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR size ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

verb (used with object), sized, siz·ing.

Verb Phrases

size up, Informal.
  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.

Idioms for size

    of a size, of the same or similar size: The two poodles are of a size.
    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.

Origin of size

1
1250–1300; (noun) Middle English syse orig., control, regulation, limit < Old French sise, aphetic variant of assise assize; (v.) in part representing late Middle English sisen to regulate (itself partly derivative of the noun, partly aphetic variant of assisen to fix, ordain, assess < Old French assiser, derivative of assise assize), in part derivative of the noun in later senses

synonym study for size

1. 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.

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH size

sighs size

Words nearby size

sixty-three, sixty-two, sixtypenny, sizable, sizar, size, size queen, size up, size zero, size-up, size-weight illusion

Definition for size (2 of 2)

size 2
[ sahyz ]
/ saɪz /

noun

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, siz·ing.

to coat or treat with size.

Origin of size

2
1400–50; late Middle English sise, syse (noun); perhaps special use of size1

Words related to size

volume, capacity, diameter, intensity, breadth, proportion, length, height, content, width, amount, magnitude, extent, stature, scope, range, largeness, proportions, vastness, measurement

Example sentences from the Web for size

British Dictionary definitions for size (1 of 2)

size 1
/ (saɪz) /

noun

the dimensions, proportions, amount, or extent of something
large or great dimensions, etc
one of a series of graduated measurements, as of clothing she takes size 4 shoes
informal state of affairs as summarized he's bankrupt, that's the size of it

verb

to sort according to size
(tr) to make or cut to a particular size or sizes

Derived forms of size

sizer, noun

Word Origin for size

C13: from Old French sise, shortened from assise assize

usage for size

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

British Dictionary definitions for size (2 of 2)

size 2
/ (saɪz) /

noun

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

(tr) to treat or coat (a surface) with size

Derived forms of size

sizy, adjective

Word Origin for size

C15: perhaps from Old French sise; see size 1

Idioms and Phrases with size

size