size1

 
Pronunciation: /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
  • extensive 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
  • a 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
  • 2 (size something up) estimate or measure something’s dimensions: she was trying to size up a room with a tape measure
  • (size someone/thing up) informal form an estimate or rough judgement of someone or something: the two men sized each other up

adjective

[in combination]
  • having a specified size; sized: marble-size chunks of hail

Phrases

of a size

(of two or more people or things) having the same dimensions: I reckon they’re of a size

of some size

fairly large: a city of some size

that's about the size of it

informal said to confirm someone’s assessment of a situation, especially of one regarded as bad: ‘So if I drop my opposition to the road you’ll fix it so I don’t lose my job?’ ‘That’s about the size of it.’

to size

to the dimensions wanted: the PVC sheet is easily cut to size

Derivatives

sized

adjective
[usually in combination]: a pocket-sized computer

sizer

noun

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