undersized

adjective

un·​der·​sized ˌən-dər-ˈsīzd 

variants or less commonly undersize

ˌən-dər-ˈsīz 

: of a size less than is common, proper, normal, or average

undersized trout

Synonyms

• bantam
• diminutive
• dinky
• dwarfish
• fine
• half-pint
• Lilliputian
• little
• pint-size
• pint-sized
• pocket
• pocket-size
• pocket-sized
• puny
• pygmy
• shrimpy
• slight
• small
• smallish
• subnormal
• toylike

Examples of undersized in a Sentence

He is undersized for a basketball player.

though a football all-star in high school, he was just a mediocre, undersized player at the college level

Recent Examples on the Web

This Warriors team has an undersized frontcourt, and its three best players — Curry, Butler, and Green — are all 34 or older. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025

Not many players can make Porzingis feel undersized, but Wembanyama – who towered over Boston’s other big, Horford – did so with his incredible length. —Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 13 Feb. 2025

The undersized big man, who seldom scores outside of 10 feet, even hit two jumpers. —Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 12 Feb. 2025

And if the ball does get entered, then you’re forced to send a second defender to help the undersized guard. —Gqlshare, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1706, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

undersized

adjective

un·​der·​sized ˌən-dər-ˈsīzd 

: smaller than is usual or standard

undersized fruit