fit

1 of 6

adjective

fitter; fittest
1
a
: acceptable from a particular viewpoint (as of competence or morality) : proper
a movie fit for the whole family
b(1)
: adapted to an end or design : suitable by nature or by art
found him to be a fit officer and gentlemanTime
(2)
: adapted to the environment so as to be capable of surviving
2
: sound physically and mentally : healthy
keeps fit by playing tennis and handball
3
a
: put into a suitable state : made ready
get the house fit for company
getting the ship fit for sea
b
: being in such a state as to be or seem ready to do or suffer something
fair fit to cry I wasBryan MacMahon
laughing fit to burst
fitly adverb

fit

2 of 6

verb

fitted or fit; fitting; fits

transitive verb

1
a
: to conform correctly to the shape or size of
These jeans don't fit me anymore.
b(1)
: to insert or adjust until correctly in place
Fit the dough into the pan.
He had some trouble fitting all of the pieces back into place.
(2)
: to make or adjust to the right shape and size
Theresa uploaded a snapshot on Twitter showing some of the mannequins she uses to fit the costumes.Gemma Strong
(3)
: to measure for determining the specifications of something to be worn by
The tailor fitted him for a new suit.
c
: to make a place or room for : accommodate
She fit all of the books into a single box.
2
a
: to be suitable for or to : harmonize with
"My first impression of Joy was that her name fit her perfectly. She radiated joy and calmness …"Beth Coger
b
archaic : to be seemly or proper for
It fits us, then, to be as provident / As fear may teach us …William Shakespeare
3
: to be in agreement or accord with
The theory fits all the facts.
4
a
: to put into a condition of readiness
His temperament fitted him to understand an age of courageous exploits …Van Wyck Brooks
b
: to cause to conform to or suit something
You must fit the words to the music.
5
: supply, equip
fitted the ship with new engines
often used with out
The guest rooms … have been fitted out with antique and reproduction furnishings …Mimi Elder
6
mathematics : to adjust (a smooth curve of a specified type) to a given set of points

intransitive verb

1
: to conform to a particular shape or size
The dress fits perfectly.
also : to be accommodated
Will we all fit into the car?
2
: to be in harmony or accord : belong
often used with in
"He wanted the house to look natural, to fit in with the island landscape. …"Olivia Harrison
I arrived in the United States at age three and grew up wanting both to live up to the … expectations of my parents and to fit in with the customs of my new homeland.Nely Galán
3
chiefly British : to experience or be affected with a seizure and especially an epileptic seizure
The 48-year-old was shopping in Stourbridge's Ryemarket when she collapsed and began fitting.Birmingham (U.K.) Evening Mail
4
archaic : to be seemly, proper, or suitable
Why dost thou laugh? It fits not with this hour.William Shakespeare
fitter noun

fit

3 of 6

noun (1)

: the fact, condition, or manner of fitting or being fitted: such as
a
: the way clothing fits the wearer
b
: the degree of closeness between surfaces in an assembly of parts

fit

4 of 6

noun (2)

1
: an emotional reaction (as in anger or frustration)
has a fit when I show up late
2
: a sudden burst or flurry (as of activity)
cleaned the whole house in a fit of efficiency
3
a
: a sudden violent attack of a disease (such as epilepsy) especially when marked by convulsions or unconsciousness : paroxysm
b
: a sudden but transient attack of a physical disturbance

fit

5 of 6

noun (3)

archaic
: a division of a poem or song

fit

6 of 6

dialectal past tense and past participle of fight

Phrases
fit to be tied
: extremely angry or irritated
Dad was fit to be tied when my sister came home late last night.
fit to kill
: in a striking manner
dressed fit to kill
by fits or by fits and starts or in fits and starts
: in an impulsive and irregular manner
construction proceeded by fits and starts
Choose the Right Synonym for fit

fit, suitable, meet, proper, appropriate, fitting, apt, happy, felicitous 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

suitable implies an answering to requirements or demands.

clothes suitable for camping

meet suggests a just proportioning.

meet payment

proper suggests a suitability through essential nature or accordance with custom.

proper acknowledgement

appropriate implies eminent or distinctive fitness.

an appropriate gift

fitting implies harmony of mood or tone.

a fitting end

apt connotes a fitness marked by nicety and discrimination.

apt quotations

happy suggests what is effectively or successfully appropriate.

a happy choice of words

felicitous suggests an aptness that is opportune, telling, or graceful.

a felicitous phrase

Examples of fit in a Sentence

Adjective Patients are encouraged to get fit. Are you fit enough to walk there? Verb The suit fits him perfectly. I hope this key fits the lock. The two pieces fit each other perfectly. This calculator will fit nicely in your shirt pocket. The two pieces fit together perfectly. How many people can fit in a phone booth? The box was too large to fit through the door. I can't fit all these groceries into the trunk of my car. We weren't able to fit the box through the door. fitting the jacket to the customer
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Choose from mirrored and non-mirrored styles and one of three included nose pieces for an even better fit. Marisa Petrarca, Travel + Leisure, 20 Mar. 2024 Of note: Luna fits a little tight, so for a less snug fit, size up. Cheryl Fenton, Parents, 20 Mar. 2024 The gourmet kitchen is fit for a professional or amateur chef, with a La Cornue stove, two dishwashers, and two Sub-Zero refrigerators. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 15 Mar. 2024 Footnotes *Biden approval averages by party affiliation were calculated using the line of best fit as a loess curve for each crosstab. Geoffrey Skelley, ABC News, 14 Mar. 2024 Though Wahlberg is quite fit himself — as anyone who sees his workout videos on Instagram can see— playing a real-life adventure racer was a challenge. Eric Andersson, Peoplemag, 14 Mar. 2024 Commentary circulated on blogs and in glossy magazines about how her physique fit (or didn’t fit) a certain paradigm for the female form; eventually Middleton was photographed sunbathing without a bikini top. Hillary Kelly, The Atlantic, 14 Mar. 2024 The answers — focused more on issues of fit, comfort and disguising signs of age — had discouraged them. Lyn Slater, CNN, 12 Mar. 2024 Plus, the adjustable bra-friendly straps offer a better fit and added support. Megan Schaltegger, Peoplemag, 8 Mar. 2024
Verb
That fits smoothly with the return of bass-baritone Dashon Burton for a second season as the MSO's artistic partner. Jim Higgins, Journal Sentinel, 22 Mar. 2024 The tent easily fits in most corners or can be folded flat in no time. Julie Evans, Parents, 22 Mar. 2024 Improving views of Biden Biden definitely fits into that pattern in fundraising. David Lauter, Los Angeles Times, 22 Mar. 2024 Leave a comment View Comments Choose a model that can fit your everyday cookware and bakeware. Casey Barber, CNN, 21 Mar. 2024 The metrics of perfection are arbitrary and imposed in the service of those who fit them. Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 21 Mar. 2024 The bow is also fitted with two symmetrical cranes that can be used to launch or retrieve vessels. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 21 Mar. 2024 Technically, that fits the definition of an agnostic atheist. Harmeet Kaur, CNN, 10 Mar. 2024 Parents love that these electronics are small enough to fit comfortably in small hands compared to competitors. Erica Puisis, Parents, 9 Mar. 2024
Noun
Fewer barriers to healthcare, more research Cox says Mark and Cindy were a natural fit for Just Imagine co-chairs because they don’t get caught up in the bureaucracy of healthcare. Maggie Menderski, The Courier-Journal, 21 Mar. 2024 Both pieces have adjustable straps for the perfect fit. Kristine Solomon, Travel + Leisure, 21 Mar. 2024 The question is how to find the right fit for more people. Ira Porter, The Christian Science Monitor, 21 Mar. 2024 Mens delivers both in its terry collection, crafted from ultra-soft cotton to ensure relaxed fits for the team. Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 20 Mar. 2024 Her cool exterior hides a personality that can explode in sudden fits of temper. MYA LOWE as CORPORAL EDWINA YEN — Another recent arrival to the Coast. Joe Otterson, Variety, 19 Mar. 2024 The long-sleeve top has a not-too-tight and not-too-oversized fit and is topped with the timeless boat neckline. Gabriela Izquierdo, Southern Living, 19 Mar. 2024 The singer took a post-breakfast stroll with her boyfriend Callum Turner this morning in Los Angeles, and both the singer and the actor opted for athletic ’fits. Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 15 Mar. 2024 Lupita Nyong'o Crystals, feathers and an impeccable fit. Erin Jensen, USA TODAY, 11 Mar. 2024

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.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English; akin to Middle English fitten

Verb and Noun (1)

Middle English fitten to marshal troops, from or akin to Middle Dutch vitten to be suitable

Noun (2)

Middle English, from Old English fitt strife

Noun (3)

Middle English, from Old English fitt; akin to Old Saxon fittea division of a poem, Old High German fizza skein

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b(1)

Verb

circa 1586, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 4

Noun (1)

1823, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

circa 1541, in the meaning defined at sense 3a

Noun (3)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fit was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near fit

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

fit

1 of 4 adjective
fitter; fittest
1
: suitable for a particular purpose
water fit for drinking
especially : so adapted to the environment as to be capable of surviving
often used in the phrase survival of the fittest
2
: acceptable from a particular point of view : proper
a movie fit for the whole family
3
: ready entry 1 sense 1, prepared
get the ship fit for sea
4
: qualified sense 1, competent
fit for the job
5
: sound physically and mentally : healthy
fitness noun

fit

2 of 4 noun
1
: a sudden violent attack of a disease or condition (as epilepsy) especially when marked by convulsions or loss of consciousness
2
: a sudden outburst (as of laughter or anger)

fit

3 of 4 verb
fitted or fit; fitting
1
: to be suitable for or to : befit
2
a
: to be of the right size and shape
the suit fits
b
: to insert or adjust until correctly in place
c
: to make a place or room for
fit another chair
3
: to be in agreement with
his story fits the facts
4
a
: to make ready : prepare
b
: to bring to a required form and size : adjust
5
: to supply what is needed for : equip
fit out an expedition
6
: to be in harmony or agreement : belong
often used with in

fit

4 of 4 noun
1
: the way something fits
a tight fit
2
: a piece of clothing that fits
Etymology

Adjective

Middle English fit "suitable to a particular purpose"

Noun

Old English fitt "strife"

Medical Definition

fit

1 of 3 noun
1
: a sudden violent attack of a disease (as epilepsy) especially when marked by convulsions or unconsciousness : paroxysm
2
: a sudden but transient attack of a physical disturbance
fits of shivering

fit

2 of 3 adjective
fitter; fittest
1
: adapted to the environment so as to be capable of surviving
2
: sound physically and mentally : healthy
fitness noun

fit

3 of 3 noun
: the fact, condition, or manner of being fitted or adapted

More from Merriam-Webster on fit

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