size
gb/sˈaɪz/ us/sˈaɪz/
A1
English
~ 800
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A1
entity
1
physical dimensions or magnitude
How big or small something is.
Usage pattern:
the size of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'size' with 'weight'. Size is about dimensions, not heaviness.
Synonyms
dimension (Often used in technical contexts to describe measurable extent in one direction.)
|
magnitude (More formal and often used for scale or importance as well as physical size.)
Antonyms
smallness (Refers to being physically small in extent.)
Collocations
large size
|small size
|average size
|plus size
|actual size
Themes
measurement
|daily life
|shopping
|science
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The size of the package was too large to fit in the mailbox.
- This shirt comes in three different sizes.
- We were surprised by the size of the crowd at the concert.
- The fish had grown to an impressive size.
- Please check the size before ordering online.
Learner examples
- My shoes are size 8.
- The box is big in size.
- She wants a small size T-shirt.
- What is the size of your room?
- This bag is the right size for my laptop.
Noun
A1
entity
2
clothing or shoe measurement category
A number or word that tells how big clothes or shoes are.
Usage pattern:
[clothing/footwear] size [number/label]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse US, UK, and EU sizing systems, leading to wrong purchases.
Synonyms
fit (Refers to how well clothing conforms to a person's body, not just the labeled measurement.)
Antonyms
one-size-fits-all (Describes clothing intended to fit most people without specific sizing.)
Collocations
dress size
|shoe size
|size medium
|size 10
Themes
fashion
|shopping
|clothing
|daily_life
Examples
- I need this jacket in a larger size.
- Her shoe size is 7.5 in US measurements.
- Do you have this dress in my size?
- The store was out of my size for those jeans.
- He wears a size medium shirt.
Learner examples
- My shoe size is 9.
- I want a size small T-shirt.
- She wears a size 12 dress.
- Do you have this in size large?
- He needs a bigger size.
Noun
B1
entity
3
extent or scale of importance
How big or important something is, not in a physical way.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes try to use 'size' for emotions, which sounds unnatural; use 'intensity' instead.
Synonyms
scale (Often used for the extent of non-physical things.)
Antonyms
triviality (Refers to being small or unimportant in scope.)
Collocations
size of the problem
|scale and size
|size of the opportunity
Themes
business
|news
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- We underestimated the size of the challenge ahead.
- The project grew in size and complexity over time.
- No one realized the true size of the risk involved.
- The company’s success was impressive in its size and speed.
- They were shocked by the size of his ambition.
Learner examples
- The problem is big in size.
- We did not know the size of the danger.
- Her dream is large in size.
- The job is big in size and hard to do.
- The party was huge in size.
Verb
B2
action
4
arrange or adjust to measurement
To make something the right measurement or fit for a purpose.
Usage pattern:
to size [something] [up/down/to measurement]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'size' as a verb with 'measure'; 'measure' means find out the dimensions, while 'size' means adjust to them.
Synonyms
fit (To make something suitable in shape or measurement for something else.)
Antonyms
misfit (To make something unsuitable in measurement.)
Collocations
size up
|size down
|sized to fit
Themes
manufacturing
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The rings can be sized to fit any finger.
- We need to size the photos correctly for the website.
- They sized the parts before assembly.
- You should size the window to match the frame.
- She had her boots sized down by a cobbler.
Learner examples
- The tailor will size my pants.
- Please size the picture for the paper.
- They will size the door for the wall.
- I need to size my shoes smaller.
- We sized the bed for the room.
Grammar
Dictionary form
size
IPA
GB/sˈaɪz/
US/sˈaɪz/
Syllables & stress
size (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (size)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: size
- Plural: size, sizes
Verb
- Base: size
- 3rd Person Singular: sizes
- Present Participle: sizing
- Past: sized
Word family
Expressions
life-size
1/lˈaɪf sˈaɪz/
fixed phrase
same dimensions as real object
Something made life-size is as big as it is in real life.
Examples
- The museum has a life-size model of a dinosaur.
- They built a life-size replica of the spacecraft.
one size fits all
1/wˈʌn sˈaɪz fˈɪts ˈɔl/
fixed phrase
designed for everyone same size/fit
'One size fits all' means one thing can be used by everyone without changing it for each person.
Examples
- The hats are adjustable, so one size fits all.
- This policy is not a one-size-fits-all solution.
plus size
1/plˈʌs sˈaɪz/
fixed phrase
clothing category for larger sizes
Clothes made for people with bigger body measurements than normal store sizes.
Examples
- She shops at a store that specializes in plus-size clothing.
- The brand has expanded its plus-size range to include more styles.
size up
1/sˈaɪz ˈʌp/
phrasal verb
evaluate quickly by appearance or impression
To look at someone or something and form an opinion fast.
Examples
- He sized up his opponent before the match began.
- The manager quickly sized up the situation and took control.
true to size
1/tɹˈu tə sˈaɪz/
fixed phrase
matches labeled clothing measurements accurately
Clothes that are true to size match the number or label exactly and do not feel bigger or smaller than expected.
Examples
- These shoes run true to size, so order your regular number.
- The jacket is true to size and fits perfectly.