fit 1 of 3

verb

Definition of fitnext
1
as in to suffice
archaic to be fitting or proper we hardly know them, so for Christmas a simple card will fit

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2
as in to correspond
to be in agreement on every point now that you've explained your absence to me, my records and the office's fit

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3
as in to adapt
to change (something) so as to make it suitable for a new use or situation I can undo the hem on these old culottes and fit them into a skirt

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4
as in to equip
to make competent (as by training, skill, or ability) for a particular office or function that final computer course should fit him for a career in programming

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5
as in to accommodate
to make or have room for we can fit you in the booth if the rest of us squeeze closer together

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6
as in to prepare
to make ready in advance I won't have time to fit the spare room for the guests

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fit

2 of 3

noun

1
as in case
a sudden experiencing of a physical or mental disorder without her medication, she'd have an epileptic fit

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2
as in burst
a sudden intense expression of strong feeling helpless fits of laughter from the audience

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3
as in scene
an outburst or display of excited anger found out what his wife had spent on clothes and threw a fit

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fit

3 of 3

adjective

ˈfit How to pronounce fit (audio)
1
as in suitable
meeting the requirements of a purpose or situation clothing that is fit for horseback riding

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2
as in go
being in a state of fitness for some experience or action fit for military service

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3
as in available
capable of or suitable for being used for a particular purpose I don't think those bald tires are fit for winter driving

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4
as in healthy
enjoying health and vigor eat well and stay fit

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5
as in qualified
having the required skills for an acceptable level of performance need to hire someone whose language skills make them fit for the job

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective fit differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of fit are appropriate, apt, felicitous, fitting, happy, meet, proper, and suitable. While all these words 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

When can appropriate be used instead of fit?

While in some cases nearly identical to fit, appropriate implies eminent or distinctive fitness.

an appropriate gift

When is apt a more appropriate choice than fit?

The words apt and fit are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, apt connotes a fitness marked by nicety and discrimination.

apt quotations

In what contexts can felicitous take the place of fit?

Although the words felicitous and fit have much in common, felicitous suggests an aptness that is opportune, telling, or graceful.

a felicitous phrase

Where would fitting be a reasonable alternative to fit?

The synonyms fitting and fit are sometimes interchangeable, but fitting implies harmony of mood or tone.

a fitting end

When could happy be used to replace fit?

The words happy and fit can be used in similar contexts, but happy suggests what is effectively or successfully appropriate.

a happy choice of words

When is it sensible to use meet instead of fit?

In some situations, the words meet and fit are roughly equivalent. However, meet suggests a just proportioning.

meet payment

When might proper be a better fit than fit?

The meanings of proper and fit largely overlap; however, proper suggests a suitability through essential nature or accordance with custom.

proper acknowledgement

When would suitable be a good substitute for fit?

While the synonyms suitable and fit are close in meaning, suitable implies an answering to requirements or demands.

clothes suitable for camping

Examples of fit in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
As many would consider the South African star’s music to fit in the Best World Music Album submission — alongside Afrobeats artists Burna Boy and Tems — her genre-bending album gave more than her home sound of Amapiano. —Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 22 Oct. 2024 Poppy is only 13 pounds and can easily fit under the seat in front of us, but my first service dog, Bobbi, was a 65-pound Pit Bull mix, and scrunching herself under the seat for eight- to 10-hour flights was uncomfortable. —Becca Blond, Travel + Leisure, 22 Oct. 2024
Noun
Something that works for my mom, friend, or fiancé might not be a good fit for me. —Sarah Yang, Sunset Magazine, 23 Oct. 2024 That process has traditionally required doctors to scroll through a database of available trials, memorize inclusion and exclusion criteria and dig through patient records to determine a good fit, Vane told CNBC. —Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2024
Adjective
The video, which took him seconds to make, is fit for social media. —Nathan Heller, Vogue, 17 Oct. 2024 One Harris-Walz ad uses the words of Trump's own Vice President, Defense Secretary, National Security Adviser, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to argue that Trump is not fit to be President again. —Charlotte Alter, TIME, 17 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for fit 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fit.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Phrases Containing fit

Thesaurus Entries Near fit

fists

fit

fitful

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Cite this Entry

“Fit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fit. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

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More from Merriam-Webster on fit

Nglish: Translation of fit for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of fit for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fit

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