out·size
ˈau̇t-ˌsīz 
: an unusual size
especially
: a size larger than the standard
Nightgowns are generally made in three sizes—small, medium and outsize. —
Amy K. Smith
Amy K. Smith
out·size
ˈau̇t-ˌsīz
variants
or less commonly outsized
1
: unusually large or heavy
Physically he is outsize, standing six feet three and weighing 225 pounds …—Neil M. Clark
Neil M. Clark2
: exaggerated or extravagant in size or degree
… they loved Mayweather for his outsize persona and the reminder it carries of the sport's past glories.—Carlo Rotella
Carlo RotellaHe was wearing a huge fur hat, a purple jacket with outsize shoulders, and two pairs of spectacles, in tiers, emphasizing the narrow length of his face.—Anthony Haden-Guest
Anthony Haden-GuestSynonyms
Examples of outsize in a Sentence
Adjective
an outsize cat who weighs 25 pounds
she likes to make dramatic appearances wearing her trademark outsize sunglasses
Recent Examples on the WebCharles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2024
Obsessive kitchen organization is among social media’s favorite pastimes, and plastic storage containers in every conceivable size and shape play an outsize role in the super-popular videos depicting spotless, abundant refrigerators and pantries on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.
—Amanda Mull, The Atlantic, 12 Apr. 2024
Their lives were so grand, so architectural, infrastructural, awesome, admired, adventurous, outsize, so representative of some (or many) of this country’s ideals that the elegies come gushing.
—Wesley Morris, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2024
Many economists had suggested that the outsize price increases in the first two months of the year probably reflected one-time increases that often happen at the start of a year as companies impose annual price increases.
—Christopher Rugaber, Fortune, 10 Apr. 2024
And in the midst of the Treasure Valley’s population and construction boom, these materials are playing an outsize role in the waste that’s filling up the landfill much faster than expected.
—Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 8 Apr. 2024
But as long as Aramco is pumping oil, the financial and political clout that drives Saudi Arabia’s outsize ideas will be replenished far into the future.
—Vivienne Walt, Fortune, 4 Apr. 2024
Small businesses played an outsize role in the increase in job vacancies over the last three years, said Tuan Nguyen, U.S. economist at financial services firm RSM.
—J.j. McCorvey, NBC News, 4 Apr. 2024
The most enduring gift of their two-act performance may be that, perhaps for the first time, the leading characters are not the outsize coaching figures — Pat Summitt, Geno Auriemma, Tara VanDerveer and Dawn Staley — but the players themselves.
—Billy Witz, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2024
Adjective
Pup is still in high school, and Remy, a Black gay man with an outsize personality, is raising him while managing the drive-in.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2024
Obsessive kitchen organization is among social media’s favorite pastimes, and plastic storage containers in every conceivable size and shape play an outsize role in the super-popular videos depicting spotless, abundant refrigerators and pantries on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.
—Amanda Mull, The Atlantic, 12 Apr. 2024
Their lives were so grand, so architectural, infrastructural, awesome, admired, adventurous, outsize, so representative of some (or many) of this country’s ideals that the elegies come gushing.
—Wesley Morris, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2024
Many economists had suggested that the outsize price increases in the first two months of the year probably reflected one-time increases that often happen at the start of a year as companies impose annual price increases.
—Christopher Rugaber, Fortune, 10 Apr. 2024
And in the midst of the Treasure Valley’s population and construction boom, these materials are playing an outsize role in the waste that’s filling up the landfill much faster than expected.
—Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 8 Apr. 2024
But as long as Aramco is pumping oil, the financial and political clout that drives Saudi Arabia’s outsize ideas will be replenished far into the future.
—Vivienne Walt, Fortune, 4 Apr. 2024
Small businesses played an outsize role in the increase in job vacancies over the last three years, said Tuan Nguyen, U.S. economist at financial services firm RSM.
—J.j. McCorvey, NBC News, 4 Apr. 2024
The most enduring gift of their two-act performance may be that, perhaps for the first time, the leading characters are not the outsize coaching figures — Pat Summitt, Geno Auriemma, Tara VanDerveer and Dawn Staley — but the players themselves.
—Billy Witz, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'outsize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Outsize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outsize. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
outsize
1 of 2 noun
out·size
ˈau̇t-ˌsīz
: a size different and especially larger than the standard
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