Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense sizes, present participle sizing, past tense, past participle sized
1. variable noun
Thesizeof something is how big or small it is. Something's size is determined by comparing it to other things, counting it, or measuring it.
Scientists have found the bones of a hoofed grazing animal about the size of a smallhorse. [+ of]
In 1970 the average size of a French farm was 19 hectares. [+ of]
Iraq itself has oil reserves second in size only to Saudi Arabia's.
...shelves containing books of various sizes.
2. uncountable noun
Thesizeof something is the fact that it is very large.
He knows the size of the task. [+ of]
Jack walked around the hotel and was mesmerized by its sheer size.
3. countable noun
A size is one of a series of graded measurements, especially for things such as clothes or shoes.
My sister is the same height but only a size 12.
I tried them on and they were the right size.
4.
See to cut someone down to size
5.
See be cut to size
6.
See for size
7. comes in all shapes and sizes
Phrasal verbs:
See size up
More Synonyms of size
-size
(-saɪz) or -sized
1. combining form
You can use -size or -sized in combination with nouns to form adjectives which indicate that something is the same size as something else.
...golfball-sized lumps of coarse black rock.
2. combining form
You can use -size or -sized in combination with adjectives to form adjectives which describe the size of something.
...full-size gymnasiums.
...a medium-sized college.
3. combining form
You can use -size or -sized in combination with nouns to form adjectives which indicate that something is bigenough or small enough to be suitable for a particular job or purpose.
...a small passport-size photograph.
...a child-sized knife.
size in British English1
(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(transitive)
5.
to sort according to size
6.
to make or cut to a particular size or sizes
▶ 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
sizer (ˈsizer)
noun
Word origin
C13: from Old French sise, shortened from assiseassize
size in British English2
(saɪz)
noun
1. 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
2. (transitive)
to treat or coat (a surface) with size
Derived forms
sizy (ˈsizy)
adjective
Word origin
C15: perhaps from Old French sise; see size1
size in American English1
(saɪz)
noun
1.
that quality of a thing which determines how much space it occupies; dimensions or magnitude of a thing
2.
any of a series of graded classifications of measure into which merchandise is divided
jumbo-size peanuts, size nine shoes
3.
a.
extent, magnitude, amount, etc.
an undertaking of great size
b.
relatively large amount, dimensions, etc.
4.
character of a person with regard to ability to meet requirements
5. Informal
actual condition; true state of affairs
that's the size of it
6. Obsolete
standard ration or allowance, as of food
verb transitiveWord forms: sized or ˈsizing
7.
to make of a certain size
8.
to arrange or grade according to size
Idioms:
of a size
size up
Derived forms
sizer (ˈsizer)
noun
Word origin
ME < OFr sise, aphetic for assise: see assize
size in American English2
(saɪz)
noun
1.
any thin, pasty or gluey substance used as a glaze or filler on porous materials, as on plaster, paper, or cloth
verb transitiveWord forms: sized or ˈsizing
2.
to apply size to; fill, stiffen, or glaze with size
Word origin
ME syse, prob. < MFr sise, a setting: see size1
-size in American English
(saɪz)
-sized
life-size
More idioms containing
size
cut someone down to size
try something on for size
COBUILD Collocations
size
body size
certain size
compact size
correct size
decent size
different size
enormous size
manageable size
maximum size
minimum size
normal size
relative size
same size
sample size
wrong size
Examples of 'size' in a sentence
size
The smaller size makes the listings so cramped together that reading them is difficult.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
These dresses can look great on all sizes of women.
The Sun (2012)
The size of that real cut is acutely sensitive to inflation.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The relationship between farm size and production is interesting.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The shoes were at least one size too big.
The Sun (2009)
You could also make overpayments to reduce the size of your loan.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Those in the infrastructure industry say that the sheer size of the city makes planning difficult.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
This is not a case of one size fits all.
The Sun (2013)
The tumour had been the size of large tangerine.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The size of the task ahead is daunting.
The Sun (2010)
Try layering with a variety of mixed gold bangles in various sizes to complete the look.
The Sun (2007)
You can forget about trivia with something this size.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The university has doubled in size over two decades.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The floor area is the size of a small kitchen table.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Despite its size the company maintains a family feel.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
There are much smaller class sizes and the end product is a much more rounded individual.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Given the size of the deficit it is essential they do not do so this time.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The potent combination of speed and size makes him almost unplayable on his day.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Our superior room was a great size.
The Sun (2015)
Staff working hours remained the same but the school was also able to cut class sizes.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Almost the same number said the variety of clothes and size options tempted them to splash the cash while on holiday.
The Sun (2015)
The size of the average new-build home has increased in recent years.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
There may be size, height, weight and age restrictions.
The Sun (2011)
In other languages
size
British English: size /saɪz/ NOUN
The size of something is how big or small it is.
The company has more than doubled in size.
American English: size
Arabic: حَجْم
Brazilian Portuguese: tamanho
Chinese: 尺寸
Croatian: veličina
Czech: velikost
Danish: størrelse
Dutch: grootte
European Spanish: tamaño
Finnish: koko suuruusluokka
French: taille forme
German: Größe
Greek: μέγεθος
Italian: dimensione
Japanese: サイズ
Korean: 크기
Norwegian: størrelse
Polish: rozmiar
European Portuguese: tamanho
Romanian: mărime
Russian: размер
Latin American Spanish: tamaño
Swedish: storlek
Thai: ขนาด
Turkish: boyut
Ukrainian: розмір
Vietnamese: kích cỡ
All related terms of 'size'
size up
If you size up a person or situation, you carefully look at the person or think about the situation, so that you can decide how to act.
bite-size
small enough to be eaten as a single mouthful
body size
The size of something is how big or small it is. Something's size is determined by comparing it to other things, counting it, or measuring it.
cup size
a measurement of the parts of a bra that actually hold the breasts
Euro-size
(of clothes, shoes , etc) European in size or measurement
for size
If you try something on for size , you try it to see if it is suitable for you.
full-size
A full-size or full-sized model or picture is the same size as the thing or person that it represents .
half-size
any size , esp in clothing, that is halfway between two sizes
hip size
a measurement around the hips at the level of the buttocks used in clothing and assessing general health
king-size
A king-size or king-sized version of something is a larger size than the standard version, and may be the largest size available .
life-size
A life-size representation of someone or something, for example a painting or sculpture , is the same size as the person or thing that they represent.
mid-size
of or being a size intermediate between large and small
one-size
available in one size only that is designed to fit most people
pint-size
very small; tiny
plus size
a clothing size designed for people who are above the average size
same size
The size of something is how big or small it is. Something's size is determined by comparing it to other things, counting it, or measuring it.
shoe size
one of the sizes in the standard range of sizes shoes are made in
size zero
a very small size in women's clothes, originating in the US, equivalent to a UK size 4
trim size
the size of a book or a page of a book after all excess material has been trimmed off
twin-size
of or being the usual or standard size of a twin bed
decent size
The size of something is how big or small it is. Something's size is determined by comparing it to other things, counting it, or measuring it.
giant size
(of an object ) much bigger than objects of its kind usually are
large-size
(of clothing, goods, merchandise , etc) of a bigger size than average
legal-size
designating paper of the size used for a legal pad
normal size
The size of something is how big or small it is. Something's size is determined by comparing it to other things, counting it, or measuring it.
of a size
of one or the same size
pocket-size
of a relatively small size; esp., of a size to fit in the pocket
queen-size
A queen-size bed is larger than a double bed, but smaller than a king-size bed.
sample size
The size of something is how big or small it is. Something's size is determined by comparing it to other things, counting it, or measuring it.
size queen
a person who prefers a sexual partner with a large penis
small-size
small in size
waist size
a measure of the circumference of the narrowest part of a person's waist
wrong size
The size of something is how big or small it is. Something's size is determined by comparing it to other things, counting it, or measuring it.
certain size
The size of something is how big or small it is. Something's size is determined by comparing it to other things, counting it, or measuring it.
compact size
The size of something is how big or small it is. Something's size is determined by comparing it to other things, counting it, or measuring it.
correct size
The size of something is how big or small it is. Something's size is determined by comparing it to other things, counting it, or measuring it.
economy size
a large size of a pack of goods that is cheaper than the normal size
enormous size
The size of something is how big or small it is. Something's size is determined by comparing it to other things, counting it, or measuring it.
foolscap size
a size of writing or printing paper, 13 1 ⁄ 2 by 17 inches or 13 1 ⁄ 4 by 16 1 ⁄ 2 inches
maximum size
The size of something is how big or small it is. Something's size is determined by comparing it to other things, counting it, or measuring it.
minimum size
The size of something is how big or small it is. Something's size is determined by comparing it to other things, counting it, or measuring it.
relative size
The size of something is how big or small it is. Something's size is determined by comparing it to other things, counting it, or measuring it.
different size
The size of something is how big or small it is. Something's size is determined by comparing it to other things, counting it, or measuring it.
manageable size
The size of something is how big or small it is. Something's size is determined by comparing it to other things, counting it, or measuring it.
size reduction
Size reduction is a process in which the particle size of a solid is made smaller.
king-size bed
a very large double bed , usually the biggest size that is available
queen-size bed
a bed which is larger or longer than normal size but smaller or shorter than king-size
size enlargement
Size enlargement is a process in which the particle size of a solid is increased.
man-sized
of a size appropriate for or convenient for a man
be cut to size
If an object is cut to size , its size is altered to make it suitable for a particular purpose.
Chinese translation of 'size'
size
(saɪz)
n
(c/u)[of object]大小 (dàxiǎo) (种(種), zhǒng)
[of clothing, shoes]尺码(碼) (chǐmǎ) (个(個), gè)
(c/u)[of loan, business]多少 (duōshǎo)
(u)[of area, building, task, loss]大 (dà)
I take size 12 (dress, shirt etc) 我穿12号(號) (wǒ chuān shí'èr hào)
what size shoes do you take?你穿几(幾)号(號)的鞋？ (nǐ chuān jǐ hào de xié?)
it's the size of ... 相当(當)于(於) ... 的大小 (xiāngdāng yú ... de dàxiǎo)
to cut sth to size将(將)某物改至一定大小 (jiāng mǒuwù gǎi zhì yīdìng dàxiǎo)
All related terms of 'size'
size up
( person, situation ) 评(評)估 pínggū
king-size(d)
特大的 tèdà de
I take size 12
( dress, shirt etc ) 我穿12号(號) wǒ chuān shí'èr hào
in order of size
按尺寸大小 àn chǐcùn dàxiǎo
it's the size of ...
相当(當)于(於) ... 的大小 xiāngdāng yú ... de dàxiǎo
to cut sth to size
将(將)某物改至一定大小 jiāng mǒuwù gǎi zhì yīdìng dàxiǎo
double in size/weight
两(兩)倍大/重 liǎng bèi dà/zhòng
to cut sb down to size
( inf ) 使某人摆(擺)正自己的位置 shǐ mǒurén bǎizhèng zìjǐ de wèizhi