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, siz·ing.

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. 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.

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, siz·ing.

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 calledsizing 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

Derived Forms

• ˈsizer, noun
• ˈsizy, 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

In addition to the idiom beginning with size , also see 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

What this lacks in size and storage capacity, it makes up for in portability.

From Popular-Science

There are some other compromises that you’ll have to make for that small size, as well.

From Popular-Science

Based on their value proposition and size, there can also be data analytics departments involved, web development teams, etc.

From Search Engine Land

Finally, for better visual stability, Google recommends using size attributes for images and videos and loading content from the top.

From Search Engine Land

To do that, we have to look at things like “effect sizes” of previous studies and translate them into pandemic-relevant metrics.

From FiveThirtyEight

Families stuff a life-size male doll with memories of the outgoing year and dress him in their clothing.

From The Daily Beast

In 2013, with a similar-size budget but more detainees, the cost worked out to about $2.7 million per detainee.

From The Daily Beast

Then make it clear that there will be no bailouts, not that there will be bailouts up to this or that size.

From The Daily Beast

The report detailed such techniques as "rectal rehydration" and the use of coffin-size confinement boxes.

From The Daily Beast

As I size up the scene, Jack White now wears the crown … and he wears it well.

From The Daily Beast

Truth is a torch, but one of enormous size; so that we slink past it in rather a blinking fashion for fear it should burn us.

From Project Gutenberg

But just wishing never made anyone larger or taller, not even a pig, and Squinty stayed the same size.

From Project Gutenberg

The great park which surrounded it was one of the most celebrated in all England, celebrated alike for its size and its beauty.

From Project Gutenberg

All were of small size, and in good part devoted to spirited political discussion.

From Project Gutenberg

A girl of forty-two weeks showed the same excitement at the sight of a life-size painting of a cat as at that of a real cat.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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