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

The little e-machine is clearly undersized for a role as the primary power plant in a modern vehicle, but it's meant to serve alongside an ICE in mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid applications. —New Atlas, 16 Jan. 2025

Reports from the environmental tester and follow-up inspections showed that the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system was undersized and blowing insulation into her son’s room, and five windows were put in upside down. —Nick Rosenberger, Idaho Statesman, 13 Jan. 2025

While Roach is the WBA Super Featherweight champion, he’s considered undersized for a clash with Davis. —Brian Mazique, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024

The two have similarities as undersized quarterbacks who played in the Malzahn offense. —Austin Meek, The Athletic, 8 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