undersize

[ uhn-der-sahyz ]

adjective

1. undersized.
2. (of screened minerals) passing through a sieve of given mesh.

Word History and Origins

Origin of undersize¹

First recorded in 1785–95; under- + size ¹

Example Sentences

Some, consequently, subtracted the five undersized kiwis from the total and answered “185.”

From Los Angeles Times

They hoped the undersized Yamamoto would be dominant at a level at which he’d never previously pitched.

From Los Angeles Times

I vacillated frenetically between oversize and undersize clothes, ambivalent about whether I wanted to draw attention or repel it.

From Los Angeles Times

Even after he sprouted up to 6-foot-5 and one school after another lined up to get a look, he was still undersized compared with most other top prospects at tackle.

From Los Angeles Times

The undersized Yamamoto, who has been sidelined for more than two months because of a shoulder injury, started a minor league rehabilitation assignment Wednesday and pitched two innings for the Dodgers’ triple-A affiliate.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• little
• mini
• miniature
• minuscule
• minute
• petite
• small
• tiny