size
size
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling of "size" is /saɪz/.
/saɪz/
Word Form Variations
Singular Noun: size
Plural Noun: sizes
Verb (base form): size
Verb (third-person singular present): sizes
Verb (present participle): sizing
Verb (past tense/past participle): sized
Adjective: sized (often used in compounds like "full-sized," "medium-sized")
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1: The overall dimensions or magnitude of something, typically referring to its length, width, height, or volume.
Synonyms: dimension, measurement, extent, proportion, bulk, amplitude
Antonyms: tininess, minuteness, littleness (when referring to the lack of size)
Definition 2: A particular category or range of dimensions, often used for clothing, shoes, or other manufactured items.
Synonyms: fitting, grade, cut, caliber
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms, as it refers to a specific category)
Verb
Definition 1: To determine or adjust the dimensions of something.
Synonyms: measure, gauge, proportion, calibrate
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms, as it describes an action)
Definition 2: To categorize or classify something according to its dimensions.
Synonyms: sort, grade, categorize, classify
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms, as it describes a process of organization)
Definition 3 (informal, often with "up"): To observe and assess someone or something, often with the intention of forming an opinion or making a judgment.
Synonyms: assess, evaluate, appraise, judge, scrutinize, survey
Antonyms: overlook, disregard, ignore
Examples of Use
Books:
"The size of the inheritance surprised even his closest relatives, necessitating a complex legal process to distribute the assets." (From a fictional novel, illustrating a large scale)
"She carefully considered the size of the canvas before beginning her masterpiece, knowing it would dictate the scope of her artistic vision."
Newspapers:
"Experts warn that the increasing size of wildfires in the Western United States is a direct consequence of climate change and prolonged droughts." ( The New York Times)
"Local businesses are adapting their services to accommodate the growing size of the remote workforce." ( The Wall Street Journal)
Online Publications:
"Choosing the right size for your hiking backpack is crucial for comfort and efficiency on the trail." ( Outdoor Gear Lab)
"Tech giants continue to expand in size, raising concerns about market dominance and anti-competitive practices." ( TechCrunch)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "King Kong, a colossal ape of immense size, wreaks havoc on New York City." (From the film King Kong, 1933)
Video Games: "Players must upgrade their ship's weapons to increase their destructive size and overcome more powerful enemies." (From a video game tutorial, general concept)
Music Lyrics: "You don't know my size, you don't know my fight, you don't know the battles I've won in the night." (From a contemporary pop song, expressing personal strength/resilience)
Television: "The interior designer carefully selected furniture to complement the cozy size of the living room, maximizing space without feeling cluttered." (From a home improvement show, general concept)
General Public Discourse:
"Could you tell me what size shoe you wear?" (Common question asked by a shoe salesperson)
"The government is looking into the optimal size for a new national park, balancing conservation with public access." (Discussing policy decisions)
"I need to size up this recipe for the party; it's only meant for four people, and we'll have twenty." (Referring to increasing quantity)
"He tried to size up his opponent before the debate, looking for any weaknesses." (Referring to assessing a person)
10 Quotes Using Size
"The true measure of a man is not the size of his muscles, but the size of his heart." (Unknown)
"It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog." (Mark Twain)
"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page." This quote does not contain the word "size."
"The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today." This quote does not contain the word "size."
"A man's worth is no greater than the size of his ambition." (Marcus Aurelius)
"Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people." This quote does not contain the word "size."
"Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing." This quote does not contain the word "size."
"It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves." This quote does not contain the word "size."
"The value of a man resides in what he gives and not in what he is capable of receiving. Try to become a man of value and not in success." This quote does not contain the word "size."
"The size of your audience doesn't matter. What matters is the size of your impact." (Jay Shetty)
Etymology
The word "size" has a fascinating journey through language! It actually comes from an old French word, "sise," which was a shortened version of "assise." "Assise" originally referred to a "session," "assessment," or "regulation."
Think of it like this: in old times, there would be official "sittings" or "sessions" (like a court or council) where rules and regulations were decided. These regulations often involved setting standards for things, such as the amount of food or the weight of goods. So, the idea of "regulation" or "control" over an amount or measurement slowly led to the modern meaning of "size" as the dimensions or magnitude of something.
The first known use of "size" in English, around the 13th century (specifically before 1300), carried this original sense of "control," "regulation," or "limit." It could also mean a "stipulated reward" or a "fixed portion" of something, like food or drink.
Over time, this idea of setting limits or standards for amounts naturally evolved to mean the physical dimensions or extent of something. By the late 16th century, we see the specific sense of "size" being used for things like clothing or shoe measurements. The verb form, meaning "to classify or arrange by size," appeared a bit later, around the 17th century.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Size
Size up: To assess or evaluate someone or something.
One size fits all: Something that is suitable for everyone or every purpose.
That's about the size of it: That's a correct or accurate summary of the situation.
To cut down to size: To humble someone or put them in their place.
For its size: Considering its dimensions or magnitude, often implying something is impressive or surprising given its scale.
Same size: Having identical dimensions.
Full-size: Of the largest or standard dimensions.
King-size: Very large (often used for beds, cigarettes).
To get the measure of: To understand someone's character or the nature of a situation (using a synonym for "size").
To be in proportion: To be balanced and appropriate in scale (similar to "size").
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of size from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
