1
a
: physical magnitude, extent, or bulk : relative or proportionate dimensions
b
: relative aggregate amount or number
c
: considerable proportions : bigness
2
: one of a series of graduated measures especially of manufactured articles (as of clothing) conventionally identified by numbers or letters
a size seven hat
3
: character, quality, or status of a person or thing especially with reference to importance, relative merit, or correspondence to needs
Try this idea on for size.
4
: actual state of affairs
That's about the size of it.
5
dialectal British
: assize sense 2a
—usually used in plural
6
obsolete
: a fixed portion of food or drink
sized; sizing
1
: to make a particular size : bring to proper or suitable size
2
: to arrange, grade, or classify according to size or bulk
: to equal in size or other particular characteristic : compare
—usually used with up and often with to or with
: any of various glutinous materials (such as preparations of glue, flour, varnish, or resins) used for filling the pores in surfaces (as of paper, textiles, leather, or plaster) or for applying color or metal leaf (as to book edges or covers)
sized; sizing
: to cover, stiffen, or glaze with or as if with size
Synonyms
Examples of size in a Sentence
Noun (1)
we worried that the immense size of the sofa would make getting it through the doorway impossible
Noun (2)
coated the fabric with size before applying it to the wall
Recent Examples on the Web
Rebecca Shinners, Travel + Leisure, 28 Nov. 2024
The bra comes in sizes XS through 3X and fits chests from size 30A–44DDD.
—Cai Cramer, People.com, 28 Nov. 2024
Bailey Richards, People.com, 29 Nov. 2024
From the hospital stay to late-night feeds, every part of the journey is only made better by being wrapped in this plush robe (available in three colors and sizes extra small to extra large).
—Annie Blay, Allure, 28 Nov. 2024
Catarina Saraiva, Fortune, 29 June 2023
Mobile made the list for mid-size metros, landing at number 12 behind Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Florida.
—Leada Gore | Lgore@al.com, al, 7 Apr. 2023
See all Example Sentences for size 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
Just note that shoppers say the shoe runs large and suggest sizing down a half size for your best fit.
—Verb
The tee, which comes in the black version the couple is wearing, as well as white, is available in mens and womens sizing.
—Adjective
While the largest banks remain well capitalized and safe, and the size diversity of the country’s banking system should be preserved, more may need to be done in overseeing mid-size banks and the nonbank sector.
—Dictionary Entries Near size
Cite this Entry
“Size.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/size. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024.
Kids Definition
size
1 of 5 noun1
: physical extent or bulk
2
a
: the measurements of a thing
b
: relative amount or number
3
: one of a series of measures especially of manufactured articles (as of clothing) usually identified by numbers or letters
size
2 of 5 verb
sized; sizing
1
: to make a particular size
2
: to arrange, grade, or classify according to size
3
: to form a judgment of
—used with up
sizing up the candidates
size
3 of 5 adjective
ˈsīz 
ˌsīz
: sized sense 1
medium-size
size
4 of 5 noun
: a gluey material (as a preparation of glue, flour, or varnish) used for filling the pores in a surface (as of plaster), as a stiffener (as of fabric), or as an adhesive
size
5 of 5 verb
sized; sizing
: to apply size to
Etymology
Noun
Middle English sise "a law, a law controlling weights and measures used in the marketplace, a fixed portion of food and drink," from early French sise (same meaning), from earlier assise "a lawmaking session, legal action," from asseoir "to seat," derived from Latin assidere "to sit beside, assist (a judge)," from ad- "toward, near" and sedēre "to sit"
Noun
Middle English sise "something gluey used as a filler, stiffener, or adhesive"
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share