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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Regulators at the Federal Housing Finance Agency have an outsize role in determining who gets a mortgage and why. Salim Furth, The Mercury News, 22 Feb. 2025 This confers on co-op boards outsize power, and in many cases the president has outsize power over the board. David Segal, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2025 Music played an outsize role in the nominations for the 97th annual Academy Awards, which were announced Jan. 23 (six days later than originally planned due to the Los Angeles wildfires). Paul Grein, Billboard, 6 Feb. 2025 Rupert Murdoch, an Australian who has U.S. citizenship, has long played an outsize role in U.K. politics through his media companies. Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 27 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for outsize

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

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Cite this Entry

“Outsize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outsize. Accessed 27 Feb. 2025.

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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