fitting

American  

[fit-ing] / ˈfɪt ɪŋ /

adjective

1. suitable or appropriate; proper or becoming.

   Synonyms:

   seemly, decorous, right, meet, fit

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noun

1. the act of a person or thing that fits.

2. an act or instance of trying on clothes that are being made or altered to determine proper fit.

3. anything provided as equipment, parts, supply, etc.

4. Usually fittings. furniture, fixtures, etc., as of a building or apartment.

fitting British  

/ ˈfɪtɪŋ /

adjective

1. appropriate or proper; suitable

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noun

1. an accessory or part

   an electrical fitting

2. (plural) furnishings or accessories in a building

3. work carried out by a fitter

4. the act of trying on clothes so that they can be adjusted to fit

5. size in clothes or shoes

   a narrow fitting

Other Word Forms

• fittingly adverb
• fittingness noun
• self-fitting adjective
• underfitting noun
• unfitting adjective
• unfittingly adverb
• well-fitting adjective

Etymology

Origin of fitting

First recorded in 1525–35; fit ¹ + -ing ², -ing ¹

Explanation

Something fitting is perfectly appropriate or proper — it's just right. When someone finds your beloved lost turtle, it's fitting to offer them a reward, or at least a sincere thanks. If your cousin loves ponies, a pony theme is a fitting choice for his birthday party. As a noun, fitting has a completely different meaning. A clothing fitting is the process of trying on an outfit to see how it fits. A hardware or plumbing fitting is one small piece that fits into a bigger system. The thing all of these definitions have in common is the root word fit.

Example Sentences

From next year, he added, the company plans to begin fitting out German factories, particularly those in the automotive industry, a crucial sector for Europe's biggest economy.

From Barron's • Apr. 22, 2026

The ex-Hill editor thought the acquisition seemed fitting at first, since the newspaper also aimed for objective, center-leaning D.C. journalism.

From Slate • Apr. 21, 2026

The messy shenanigans marked a fitting conclusion to the series that premiered in 2000 about a comically dysfunctional family and which became one of Fox’s signature hits during its seven-season run.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

"Cousteau and his crew inspired generations to look beneath the surface," said Lerosey-Aubril, "it seemed fitting to name this ancient marine animal after someone who changed the way we see ocean life."

From Science Daily • Apr. 3, 2026

Even the fun of fitting arms and legs to the doll could not keep Robin from wanting to get out into the fields and away from bench and bed, stool and trundle cart.

From "The Door in the Wall" by Marguerite de Angeli

Related Words

• apt
• felicitous
• proper