(North American English usually)past participle fit
/fɪt/
/fɪt/
-ing form fitting
/ˈfɪtɪŋ/
/ˈfɪtɪŋ/
IdiomsPhrasal Verbs
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right size/type
[intransitive, transitive](not used in the progressive tenses)to be the right shape and size for somebody/something
I tried the dress on but it didn't fit.
That jacket fits well.
My shoes fit perfectly.
a close-fitting dress
fit somebody/somethingI can't find clothes to fit me.
The key doesn't fit the lock.
Extra Examples
The shoes don't fit properly.
jeans which barely fit his stout body
I had to have the dress altered to fit my slimmer body.
The screws fit the holes exactly.
Topics Clothes and Fashiona2
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb
closely
neatly
nicely
…
verb + fit
be designed to
preposition
in
into
onto
…
See full entry
[intransitive]to be of the right size, type or number to go somewhere
I'd like to have a desk in the room but it won't fit.
+ adv./prep.All the kids will fit in the back of the car.
This device is small enough to fit in a pocket.
His arms fitted snugly around me.
Extra Examples
That chair should fit into the room easily.
The pencils fit neatly into this box.
The waste unit is designed to fit under the sink.
All the windows were too small for an adult to fit through.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb
closely
neatly
nicely
…
verb + fit
be designed to
preposition
in
into
onto
…
See full entry
[transitive, often passive]to put clothes on somebody and make them the right size and shape
be fitted for somethingI'm going to be fitted for my wedding dress today.
put something somewhere
[transitive]to put or fix something somewhere
fit something + adv./prep.They fitted a smoke alarm to the ceiling.
uPVC windows have been fitted throughout the house.
fit something with somethingThe rooms were all fitted with smoke alarms.
[intransitive, transitive]to put or join something in the right place
fit + adv./prep.The glass fits on top of the jug to form a lid.
How do these two parts fit together?
fit something + adv./prep.We fitted together the pieces of the puzzle.
If the top of the box fits badly, the contents will spill out.
agree/match
[intransitive, transitive](not used in the progressive tenses)to agree with, match or be suitable for something; to make something do this
Something doesn't quite fit here.
fit into somethingHis pictures don't fit into any category.
fit with somethingThe words fit perfectly with the music.
fit somethingThe facts certainly fit your theory.
to fit a description/profile
The punishment ought to fit the crime.
We tailor our programs to fit their needs.
Most organizations do not fit this model.
fit something to somethingWe should fit the punishment to the crime.
Extra Examples
He fit the perfect model for a swimmer.
I was told that I didn't fit the criteria.
She fitted the description Travis had given me of her perfectly.
Exploratory techniques are extremely well fitted to sociolinguistic research.
Topics Opinion and argumentb2
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb
perfectly
seamlessly
preposition
for
with
See full entry
make suitable
[transitive](especially British English)to make somebody/something suitable for a particular job or situation
fit somebody/something for somethingHis experience fitted him perfectly for the job.
fit somebody/something to somethingShe was well fitted to the role of tragic heroine.
fit somebody/something to do somethingHis experience fitted him to do the job.
Natural selection will see to it that animals are well fitted to survive in their environment.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb
perfectly
seamlessly
preposition
for
with
See full entry
see alsofitted
Word Originverb late Middle English: of unknown origin.
Idioms
answer/fit/match a description (of somebody/something)
to be like a particular person or thing
A child answering the description of the missing boy was found safe and well in London yesterday.
We're all looking for quick, healthy meals, and pasta this fits this description.
Extra Examples
A man fitting your description was seen entering the building.
I realized to my horror that the description of the killer could fit me.
Police have arrested two men matching the descriptions of the robbers.
somebody’s face fits/doesn’t fit
(British English)used to say that somebody will/will not get a particular job or position because they have/do not have the appearance, personality, etc. that the employer wants, even when this should not be important
If your face fits, you'll get the job.
It doesn't matter how well qualified you are; if your face doesn't fit, you don't stand a chance.
fill/fit the bill
to be what is needed in a particular situation or for a particular purpose
On paper, several of the applicants fit the bill.
fit (somebody) like a glove
to be the perfect size or shape for somebody
The dress fits me like a glove.
if the shoe fits (, wear it)(North American English)
(British Englishif the cap fits (, wear it))
if you feel that a remark applies to you, you should accept it and take it as a warning or criticism
fit
adjective
/fɪt/
/fɪt/
(comparative fitter, superlative fittest)
Idioms
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healthy
healthy and strong, especially because you do regular physical exercise
Top athletes have to be very fit.
She tries to keep fit by jogging every day.
Hiking helps keep him physically fit.
All the recruits seemed fit and healthy.
my new year's resolution to get fit
He is back in training after his back injury but is not yet considered match fit(= fit enough to play in a match).
fit to do somethingHe won't be fit to play in the match on Saturday.
The judge concluded that the applicant was fit to stand trial.
fit for something(British English)He's had a bad cold and isn't fit enough for work yet.
After two days, Douglas was declared fit for duty.
(figurative)The government aims to make British industry leaner and fitter (= employing fewer people and with lower costs).
oppositeunfit
Synonyms wellwell
all right
OK
fine
healthy
strong
fit
These words all describe somebody who is not ill and is in good health.
well[not usually before noun] (rather informal) in good health:
I’m not feeling very well.
Is he well enough to travel?
Well is used especially to talk about your own health, to ask somebody about their health or to make a comment on it.
all right[not before noun] (rather informal) not feeling ill; not injured:
Are you feeling all right?
OK[not before noun] (informal) not feeling ill; not injured:
She says she’s OK now, and will be back at work tomorrow.
all right or ok?These words are slightly less positive than the other words in this group. They are both used in spoken English to talk about not actually being ill or injured, rather than being positively in good health. Both are rather informal but OK is slightly more informal than all right.
fine[not before noun] (not used in negative statements) (rather informal) completely well:
‘How are you?’ ‘Fine, thanks.’
Fine is used especially to talk about your health, especially when somebody asks you how you are. It is also used to talk about somebody’s health when you are talking to somebody else. Unlike well it is not often used to ask somebody about their health or make a comment on it: Are you keeping fine?
healthyin good health and not likely to become ill:
Keep healthy by exercising regularly.
strongin good health and not suffering from an illness:
After a few weeks she was feeling stronger.
Strong is often used to talk about becoming healthy again after an illness.
fit(especially British English) in good physical health, especially because you take regular physical exercise:
I go swimming every day in order to keep fit.
Patterns
all right/OK/fit for something
all right/OK/fit to do something
to feel/look well/all right/OK/fine/healthy/strong/fit
to keep (somebody) well/healthy/fit
perfectly well/all right/OK/fine/healthy/fit
physically well/healthy/strong/fit
see alsokeep-fit
Wordfinder
diet
exercise
fit
gym
health spa
nutrition
personal trainer
sport
stamina
workout
Extra Examples
She felt physically fitter and more alive than she could ever remember.
A reasonably fit adult should have no difficulty with the climb.
She won't compete unless she's fully fit.
Topics Health and Fitnessa2
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs
be
feel
look
…
adverb
extremely
fairly
very
…
preposition
for
phrases
as fit as a fiddle
fit and healthy
fit and well
…
See full entry
suitable
suitable; of the right quality; with the right qualities or skills
fit for somebody/somethingThe food was not fit for human consumption.
It was a meal fit for a king(= of very good quality).
fit for doing somethingThe children seem to think I'm only fit for cooking and washing!
fit to do somethingYour car isn't fit to be on the road!
He's so angry he's in no fit state to see anyone.
(formal)This is not a fit place for you to live.
He was not considered a fit and proper person to run a bank.
Schools should be allowed to operate as they deem fit.
oppositeunfit
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs
consider something
see
think
…
preposition
for
phrases
fit and proper
fit for a king
in no fit state
…
See full entry
ready
fit to do something(British English, informal)ready or likely to do something extreme
They worked until they were fit to drop(= so tired that they were likely to fall down).
More Like This Consonant-doubling adjectivesConsonant-doubling adjectives
big
drab
fat
fit
flat
hot
mad
red
sad
wet
Word Originadjective late Middle English: of unknown origin.
Idioms
fighting fit
extremely fit or healthy
(as) fit as a fiddle
(informal)in very good physical condition
More Like This Similes in idiomsSimiles in idioms
(as) bald as a coot
(as) blind as a bat
(as) bright as a button
(as) bold as brass
as busy as a bee
as clean as a whistle
(as) dead as a/the dodo
(as) deaf as a post
(as) dull as ditchwater
(as) fit as a fiddle
as flat as a pancake
(as) good as gold
(as) mad as a hatter/a March hare
(as) miserable/ugly as sin
as old as the hills
(as) pleased/proud as Punch
as pretty as a picture
(as) regular as clockwork
(as) quick as a flash
(as) safe as houses
(as) sound as a bell
(as) steady as a rock
(as) thick as two short planks
(as) tough as old boots
fit for purpose
(of an institution, a system, a thing, etc.) suitable for the function or purpose that it was designed for
The minister argued that the education system wasn’t fit for purpose.
The new executive flats are fully equipped and fit for purpose.
I returned the goods as they weren’t fit for purpose.
see/think fit (to do something)
(formal)to consider it right or acceptable to do something; to decide or choose to do something
You must do as you think fit (= but I don't agree with your decision).
The newspaper did not see fit to publish my letter (= and I criticize it for that).
the survival of the fittest
the principle that only the people or things that are best adapted to their environment will continue to existTopics Biologyc2
fit
noun
/fɪt/
/fɪt/
Idioms
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illness
[countable]a sudden attack of an illness, such as epilepsy, in which somebody becomes unconscious and their body may make violent movementssynonymconvulsion
to have an epileptic fit
He suffered from headaches and fainting fits.
Her fits are now controlled by drugs.
Extra Examples
He suffers from a brain disorder that can trigger convulsive fits.
She hurt her arm during one of her fits.
She suffered a major fit last year.
The fits usually occur at night.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
convulsive
epileptic
fainting
…
verb + fit
have
suffer
suffer from
…
fit + verb
happen
occur
preposition
during a fit
See full entry
of coughing/laughter
[countable]a sudden short period of coughing(= forcing air through the throat noisily) or of laughing, that you cannot controlsynonymbout
a fit of coughing
He had us all in fits (of laughter) with his jokes.
Extra Examples
She collapsed in a fit of laughter.
The cold air brought on one of his coughing fits.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
coughing
sneezing
crying
…
verb + fit
have
pitch
throw
…
fit + verb
be over
pass
preposition
in a fit of
fit of
phrases
in fits
in fits of laughter
See full entry
of strong feeling
[countable]a short period of very strong feeling
to act in a fit of anger/rage/temper/pique
see alsohissy fit
Extra Examples
He pushed the referee in a fit of temper.
He suffers from fits of depression.
In a sudden fit of anger, he snatched the book from her hand.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
coughing
sneezing
crying
…
verb + fit
have
pitch
throw
…
fit + verb
be over
pass
preposition
in a fit of
fit of
phrases
in fits
in fits of laughter
See full entry
how something fits
[countable, uncountable](often with an adjective)the way that something, especially a piece of clothing, fits; the way that somebody/something fits into something
The shoe has a special strap to ensure a good fit.
It was a tight fit with six of us in the boat.
Extra Examples
File away any excess metal until a snug fit is achieved.
The cap is made of 92% polyester with 8% Spandex for a custom fit.
The door was a poor fit and didn't open properly.
The jersey is a comfortable fit—not too tight and not too loose.
Topics Clothes and Fashionb2
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
excellent
good
nice
…
verb + fit
achieve
get
produce
…
preposition
fit between
phrases
a lack of fit
See full entry
match
[countable]fit (between A and B)the way that two things match each other or are suitable for each other
a perfect fit between the recruit and the job
Extra Examples
We need to work out the best fit between the staff required and the staff available.
The formula gives a much better fit to the experimental data.
the statistical fit between the interest rate and investment
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
excellent
good
nice
…
verb + fit
achieve
get
produce
…
preposition
fit between
phrases
a lack of fit
See full entry
Word Originnoun senses 4 to 5 late Middle English: of unknown origin. noun senses 1 to 3 Old English fitt ‘conflict’, in Middle English ‘position of danger or excitement’, also ‘short period’; the sense ‘sudden attack of illness’ dates from the mid 16th cent.
Idioms
by/in fits and starts | in stops and starts
frequently starting and stopping again; not continuously
Because of other commitments I can only write my book in fits and starts.
have/throw a fit
(informal)to be very shocked, upset or angry
Your mother would have a fit if she knew you'd been drinking!