outsize

1 of 2

noun

out·​size ˈau̇t-ˌsīz How to pronounce outsize (audio)
: an unusual size
especially : a size larger than the standard
Nightgowns are generally made in three sizes—small, medium and outsize. Amy K. Smith

outsize

2 of 2

adjective

out·​size ˈau̇t-ˌsīz How to pronounce outsize (audio)
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
2
: 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
He 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

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 Web
Adjective
For the harm to nature category, 69% met the criteria for significant concern, with nitrogen deposition playing an outsize role. Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2024 Some cherry trees are not like the others, and one is receiving outsize attention this year. Joe Heim, Washington Post, 20 Mar. 2024 The outsize role of shelter inflation means that homeowners and renters whose leases haven’t changed are experiencing inflation very differently from those who were more exposed to rising housing costs. Ben Harris, The Mercury News, 16 Mar. 2024 And most importantly, both Ventura and Rodgers—as outsize and slightly eccentric sports figures—are heroes largely to young men. Anna Merlan, WIRED, 14 Mar. 2024 Germany played an outsize role in EU decision-making during this period, as Merkel used the country’s economic weight to steer Brussels’s policies on austerity measures, data privacy, and migration. Sudha David-Wilp, Foreign Affairs, 4 Mar. 2024 But the relatively tiny group of bad actors is having an outsize impact on crime in the city, according to police leaders – especially when combined with New York's lenient bail laws. Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 16 Feb. 2024 The main living space is dominated by two outsize pieces, both by artists with connections to Freeman’s gallery. Travis Diehl Dean Kaufman, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2024 Holmes believes churches, which play an outsize role in Oklahoma culture, could be a driving force behind promulgating lasting change. Jackie Valley, The Christian Science Monitor, 29 Feb. 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.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1845, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1812, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of outsize was in 1812

Dictionary Entries Near outsize

Cite this Entry

“Outsize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outsize. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

outsize

1 of 2 noun
out·​size ˈau̇t-ˌsīz How to pronounce outsize (audio)
: a size different and especially larger than the standard

outsize

2 of 2 adjective
variants also outsized
: unusually large or heavy
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