size1
/sʌɪz
/noun
1 [mass noun] The relative extent of something; a thing’s overall dimensions or magnitude; how big something is: the schools varied in size a forest the size of Wales [count noun]: firms of all sizes...
- The craftspeople construct everything in small scale and the houses range in size up to palaces which can cost as much as a full-sized house.
- The size of the house excluding underground parking is about 4,100 square feet.
- The houses vary in size, with a choice of one to four bedrooms, sleeping up to eight.
1.1Extensive dimensions or magnitude: she seemed slightly awed by the size of the building
2Each of the classes, typically numbered, into which garments or other articles are divided according to how large they are: I can never find anything in my size...
- The dress was a couple of sizes too big and with the belt on, the neckline dipped dangerously low.
- She was barefoot, and wearing only a flowered dress which was a size too big for her skinny frame.
- Vantage offers Big and Tall sizes in seven basics and bestsellers, including a woven shirt, a windshirt, and a sweater.
2.1A person or garment corresponding to a particular numbered size: she’s a size 10
verb [with object]
1Alter or sort in terms of size or according to size: twist drills are sized in millimetres...
- Yes, I've sort of sized this for a tall 3yo by adding an inch and a half to the length and an inch to the width.
Synonyms
sort, categorize, classify
2 (size something up) Estimate or measure something’s dimensions: she was trying to size up a room with a tape measure
2.1 (size someone/thing up) informal Form an estimate or rough judgement of someone or something: the two men sized each other up...
- We went in, sat down, had our pints, but I was watching the lads at the bar watching us, and I knew they were wondering, looking, sizing us up.
- He was close to becoming a US citizen when Murdoch began sizing him up for the top job at The Sun.
- And I often see them watching her, sizing her up.
Synonyms
assess, appraise, form an estimate of, measure up, take the measure of, weigh up, estimate, judge, take stock of, evaluate, gauge, rate
British informal suss out
adjective [in combination]
Having a specified size; sized: marble-size chunks of hail
Phrases
of a size
of some size
that's about the size of it
to size
Derivatives
sizer
- Harbor Freight has several ring sizers for sale.
- With the window removed, the surgeon tried various sizers to achieve proper medialization of the cord.
- Trial acetabular sizers are placed in the cavity to further assist with shell size determination.
Origin
Middle English (also in the sense 'assize, ordinance fixing a rate of payment'): from Old French sise, from assise 'ordinance', or a shortening of assize.
Early use of the word was as a synonym for assize, of which it is a shortening. This came from French assise, from Latin assidere ‘sit by’ which developed the sense ‘to sit down in judgement, assess’ of which it is also the source. The notion of fixing an amount led to the word's use to express magnitude and bulk. The phrase size up appeared in the late 19th century. The history of the size (Middle English) used in painting is not clear. See also seat
Rhymes
size2
/sʌɪz/noun [mass noun]
A gelatinous solution used in glazing paper, stiffening textiles, and preparing plastered walls for decoration.
verb [with object]
Treat with size to glaze or stiffen: (as adjective sized) paper will adhere to sized walls better...
- Be sure to prime or size any newly applied drywall compound before painting or papering.
- I suggest you also size the walls before doing this, and as your decorator is a traditionalist I am sure he will agree.
Origin
Middle English: perhaps the same word as size1.