fit
gb/fˈɪt/ us/fˈɪt/
A1
English
~ 1100
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
Suitable or appropriate
Right or good for a certain use or person.
Usage pattern:
fit for [purpose]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'fit' meaning 'healthy' with 'fit' meaning 'suitable'. Context usually clarifies the meaning.
Synonyms
suitable (More formal; often used in professional contexts.)
|
appropriate (Focuses on correctness or acceptability in context.)
Antonyms
unsuitable (Direct opposite, meaning not appropriate for the purpose.)
Collocations
fit for purpose
|fit enough
|fit to eat
|fit candidate
Themes
daily life
|work
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- This room is not fit for guests.
- She is fit to lead the team.
- The water was not fit to drink.
- He is the only fit candidate for the job.
Learner examples
- This shirt is not fit for me.
- The food is not fit to eat.
- He is fit to be a leader.
- The car is fit for a long trip.
adjective
A2
property
2
In good physical health
Strong and healthy because of exercise and good food.
Usage pattern:
fit enough to [verb]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'fit' meaning 'healthy' with 'fit' meaning 'suitable'.
Synonyms
healthy (General term for good physical condition; not necessarily athletic.)
|
in shape (Informal; emphasizes physical fitness from exercise.)
Antonyms
unfit (Not in good health or physical condition.)
Collocations
physically fit
|fit and healthy
|fit enough
Themes
health
|sports
|body
Examples
- She works out daily to stay fit.
- You need to be fit to run a marathon.
- He is fit enough to climb the mountain.
Learner examples
- I want to be fit.
- He is very fit and strong.
- You must be fit to play soccer.
Verb
A1
state
3
Be the right size or shape
To be the right size or shape for someone or something.
Usage pattern:
[something] fits [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'fit' (be the right size) with 'suit' (look good on someone).
Synonyms
suit (Can refer to style/appearance as well as size.)
Antonyms
mismatch (Does not correspond in size, shape, or suitability.)
Collocations
fit perfectly
|fit well
|fit comfortably
Themes
shopping
|clothing
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- These shoes don't fit me.
- The sofa doesn't fit through the door.
- The dress fits her perfectly.
Learner examples
- The shirt fits me well.
- These shoes do not fit.
- This hat fits my head.
Verb
B1
action
4
Install or adjust correctly
To put something in place so it works right.
Usage pattern:
fit [something] into [something]
Synonyms
install (Specifically means to set up equipment or systems.)
|
adjust (Means to change slightly so it works better.)
Antonyms
remove (To take out instead of putting in place.)
Collocations
fit together
|fit into place
|fit parts
Themes
construction
|technology
|daily_life
Examples
- They fitted the new window yesterday.
- He fitted the pieces together like a puzzle.
- The mechanic will fit new brakes on your car.
Learner examples
- He will fit a new door.
- I can fit the pieces together.
- She will fit the light in the room.
Noun
B2
event
5
Sudden burst of emotion/activity
A short time when you feel something very strongly or do something suddenly.
Synonyms
outburst (Usually refers to sudden strong emotion, especially anger.)
Antonyms
calmness (A state without sudden strong emotion or activity.)
Collocations
fit of anger
|laughing fit
Themes
emotions
|body
Examples
- She had a fit of jealousy when she saw them together.
- He went into a coughing fit during the meeting.
- The comedian sent the audience into fits of laughter.
Learner examples
- She had a fit of anger.
- He had a coughing fit.
- They were in fits of laughter.
Noun
technical
B2
event
6
Sudden medical seizure/attack
A sudden shaking of the body because of illness like epilepsy.
Synonyms
seizure (Medical term; formal and specific.)
Collocations
epileptic fit
Themes
health
|body
Examples
- He collapsed after having an epileptic fit.
- The child suffered several fits during the night.
- She was diagnosed after her second major fit.
Learner examples
- He had an epileptic fit.
- She had a fit during class.
- The man had two fits last month.
Grammar
Dictionary form
fit
IPA
GB/fˈɪt/
US/fˈɪt/
Syllables & stress
fit (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (fit)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: fit
- Comparative: fitter
- Superlative: fittest
Noun
- Base: fit
- Plural: fit, fits
Verb
- Base: fit
- 3rd Person Singular: fits
- Present Participle: fitting
- Past: fit
- Past Participle: fitted
Word family
Highlights
- Irregular present participle: fitting Verb
- Irregular past: fit Verb
- Irregular past participle: fitted Verb
- Irregular comparative: fitter Adjective
- Irregular superlative: fittest Adjective
Expressions
fit in
1/fˈɪt ˈɪn/
phrasal verb
Be accepted in group/environment
To feel you belong in a group or place.
Examples
- It took her months to fit in at her new school.
- He never really fitted in with his teammates.
fit into place
1/fˈɪt ˈɪntu plˈeɪs/
fixed phrase
Move into correct position easily
To go into the right position without force.
Examples
- The lid should just fit into place without much effort.
- The final piece fitted into place perfectly.
have a fit
1/hˈæv ə fˈɪt/
idiom
informal
Suddenly become angry/upset
To get very angry or upset very quickly.
Examples
- My mom will have a fit if she sees this mess.
- The teacher had a fit when no one did their homework.
keep fit
1/kˈip fˈɪt/
fixed phrase
Maintain health via exercise/diet
To stay healthy by doing exercise and eating well.
Examples
- He goes swimming twice a week to keep fit.
- Cycling is a great way to keep fit.
throw a fit
1/θɹˈoʊ ə fˈɪt/
idiom
informal
Show anger suddenly/loudly
To get angry and act upset, often loudly.
Examples
- She threw a fit when she found out about the delay.
- The customer threw a fit over the bill.