fit

1 of 6

adjective

ˈfit 

fitter; fittest

1

a

: acceptable from a particular viewpoint (as of competence or morality) : proper

a movie fit for the whole family

b(1)

: adapted to an end or design : suitable by nature or by art

found him to be a fit officer and gentleman

—Time

(2)

: adapted to the environment so as to be capable of surviving

2

: sound physically and mentally : healthy

keeps fit by playing tennis and handball

3

a

: put into a suitable state : made ready

get the house fit for company

getting the ship fit for sea

b

: being in such a state as to be or seem ready to do or suffer something

fair fit to cry I was

—Bryan MacMahon

laughing fit to burst

fitly adverb

fit

2 of 6

verb

fitted or fit; fitting; fits

transitive verb

1

a

: to conform correctly to the shape or size of

These jeans don't fit me anymore.

b(1)

: to insert or adjust until correctly in place

Fit the dough into the pan.

He had some trouble fitting all of the pieces back into place.

(2)

: to make or adjust to the right shape and size

Theresa uploaded a snapshot on Twitter showing some of the mannequins she uses to fit the costumes.

—Gemma Strong

(3)

: to measure for determining the specifications of something to be worn by

The tailor fitted him for a new suit.

c

: to make a place or room for : accommodate

She fit all of the books into a single box.

2

a

: to be suitable for or to : harmonize with

"My first impression of Joy was that her name fit her perfectly. She radiated joy and calmness …"

—Beth Coger

b

archaic : to be seemly or proper for

It fits us, then, to be as provident / As fear may teach us …

—William Shakespeare

3

: to be in agreement or accord with

The theory fits all the facts.

4

a

: to put into a condition of readiness

His temperament fitted him to understand an age of courageous exploits …

—Van Wyck Brooks

b

: to cause to conform to or suit something

You must fit the words to the music.

5

: supply, equip

fitted the ship with new engines

—often used with out

The guest rooms … have been fitted out with antique and reproduction furnishings …

—Mimi Elder

6

mathematics : to adjust (a smooth curve of a specified type) to a given set of points

intransitive verb

1

: to conform to a particular shape or size

The dress fits perfectly.

also : to be accommodated

Will we all fit into the car?

2

: to be in harmony or accord : belong

—often used with in

"He wanted the house to look natural, to fit in with the island landscape. …"

—Olivia Harrison

I arrived in the United States at age three and grew up wanting both to live up to the … expectations of my parents and to fit in with the customs of my new homeland.

—Nely Galán

3

chiefly British : to experience or be affected with a seizure and especially an epileptic seizure

The 48-year-old was shopping in Stourbridge's Ryemarket when she collapsed and began fitting.

—Birmingham (U.K.) Evening Mail

4

archaic : to be seemly, proper, or suitable

Why dost thou laugh? It fits not with this hour.

—William Shakespeare

fitter noun

fit

3 of 6

noun (1)

: the fact, condition, or manner of fitting or being fitted: such as

a

: the way clothing fits the wearer

b

: the degree of closeness between surfaces in an assembly of parts

c

: goodness of fit

fit

4 of 6

noun (2)

1

: an emotional reaction (as in anger or frustration)

has a fit when I show up late

2

: a sudden burst or flurry (as of activity)

cleaned the whole house in a fit of efficiency

3

a

: a sudden violent attack of a disease (such as epilepsy) especially when marked by convulsions or unconsciousness : paroxysm

b

: a sudden but transient attack of a physical disturbance

fit

5 of 6

noun (3)

archaic

: a division of a poem or song

fit

6 of 6

dialectal past tense and past participle of fight

Phrases

fit to be tied

: extremely angry or irritated

Dad was fit to be tied when my sister came home late last night.

fit to kill

: in a striking manner

dressed fit to kill

by fits or by fits and starts or in fits and starts

: in an impulsive and irregular manner

construction proceeded by fits and starts

Synonyms

Adjective

• applicable
• appropriate
• apt
• becoming
• befitting
• felicitous
• fitted
• fitting
• good
• happy
• meet
• pretty
• proper
• right
• suitable

Verb

• befit
• beseem [archaic]
• do
• go
• serve
• suit

Noun (2)

• access
• attack
• bout
• case
• seizure
• siege
• spell
• turn

Choose the Right Synonym for fit

fit, suitable, meet, proper, appropriate, fitting, apt, happy, felicitous mean right with respect to some end, need, use, or circumstance.

fit stresses adaptability and sometimes special readiness for use or action.

fit for battle

suitable implies an answering to requirements or demands.

clothes suitable for camping

meet suggests a just proportioning.

meet payment

proper suggests a suitability through essential nature or accordance with custom.

proper acknowledgement

appropriate implies eminent or distinctive fitness.

an appropriate gift

fitting implies harmony of mood or tone.

a fitting end

apt connotes a fitness marked by nicety and discrimination.

apt quotations

happy suggests what is effectively or successfully appropriate.

a happy choice of words

felicitous suggests an aptness that is opportune, telling, or graceful.

a felicitous phrase

Examples of fit in a Sentence

Adjective

Patients are encouraged to get fit.

Are you fit enough to walk there?

Verb

The suit fits him perfectly.

I hope this key fits the lock.

The two pieces fit each other perfectly.

This calculator will fit nicely in your shirt pocket.

The two pieces fit together perfectly.

How many people can fit in a phone booth?

The box was too large to fit through the door.

I can't fit all these groceries into the trunk of my car.

We weren't able to fit the box through the door.

fitting the jacket to the customer

without her medication, she'd have an epileptic fit

helpless fits of laughter from the audience

found out what his wife had spent on clothes and threw a fit

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Rico Lewis returns from suspension while Manuel Akanji is fighting to be fit for the game. —Oli Gamp, The Athletic, 21 Dec. 2024

Kimberly Moore, a Chief United States Circuit Judge, first lodged a complaint against Newman in March 2023, arguing that Newman was no longer fit to fulfill her duties due to mental and physical disabilities, according to a copy of the order obtained by USA TODAY. —Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 21 Dec. 2024

Verb

This solution could fit onto small city balconies and could power automotive engines. —Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024

Lindsey, who also coached with Gus Malzahn at UCF in 2022 and at Auburn in 2017 and 2018, fits that description. —Bruce Feldman, The Athletic, 11 Dec. 2024

Noun

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) Tim Burton and Henry Selick may seem more of a natural fit for Halloween than Christmas, but the maestros of the macabre's stop-motion holiday fable crafted pure eye candy. —Chris Nashawaty, EW.com, 11 Dec. 2024

In these ways, crypto is a perfect fit for the turbulence and distrust of the 2020s, as well as the nihilism and corruption of the Trump era. —Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 11 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English; akin to Middle English fitten

Verb and Noun (1)

Middle English fitten to marshal troops, from or akin to Middle Dutch vitten to be suitable

Noun (2)

Middle English, from Old English fitt strife

Noun (3)

Middle English, from Old English fitt; akin to Old Saxon fittea division of a poem, Old High German fizza skein

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b(1)

Verb

circa 1586, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 4

Noun (1)

1823, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

circa 1541, in the meaning defined at sense 3a

Noun (3)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing fit

• fit as a fiddle
• fit as a flea
• fit for a king
• fit (into/in) the mold of
• fit of laughter
• fit the bill
• fit the pattern of
• fit to burst
• goodness of fit
• have a fit
• hissy fit
• in no (fit) state
• pitch a fit
• see/think fit
• shit-fit
• throw a fit

Kids Definition

fit

1 of 4 adjective

ˈfit 

fitter; fittest

1

: suitable for a particular purpose

water fit for drinking

especially : so adapted to the environment as to be capable of surviving

—often used in the phrase survival of the fittest

2

: acceptable from a particular point of view : proper

a movie fit for the whole family

3

: ready entry 1 sense 1, prepared

get the ship fit for sea

4

: qualified sense 1, competent

fit for the job

5

: sound physically and mentally : healthy

fitness noun

fit

2 of 4 noun

1

: a sudden violent attack of a disease or condition (as epilepsy) especially when marked by convulsions or loss of consciousness

2

: a sudden outburst (as of laughter or anger)

fit

3 of 4 verb

fitted or fit; fitting

1

: to be suitable for or to : befit

2

a

: to be of the right size and shape

the suit fits

b

: to insert or adjust until correctly in place

c

: to make a place or room for

fit another chair

3

: to be in agreement with

his story fits the facts

4

a

: to make ready : prepare

b

: to bring to a required form and size : adjust

5

: to supply what is needed for : equip

fit out an expedition

6

: to be in harmony or agreement : belong

—often used with in

fit

4 of 4 noun

1

: the way something fits

a tight fit

2

: a piece of clothing that fits

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English fit "suitable to a particular purpose"

Noun

Old English fitt "strife"

Medical Definition

fit

1 of 3 noun

ˈfit 

1

: a sudden violent attack of a disease (as epilepsy) especially when marked by convulsions or unconsciousness : paroxysm

2

: a sudden but transient attack of a physical disturbance

fits of shivering

fit

2 of 3 adjective

fitter; fittest

1

: adapted to the environment so as to be capable of surviving

2

: sound physically and mentally : healthy

fitness noun

fit

3 of 3 noun

: the fact, condition, or manner of being fitted or adapted