What does "fit" mean?
The degree to which something fits.
Fit
/fɪt/ adj, name, noun, verb, slang
adj, name, noun, verb, slang ·Top 500 ·Elementary level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The degree to which something fits.
- Grammar: fit is listed as adj, name, noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: a propos, abdominal epilepsy, able, able-bodied.
- Useful contrasts: corpulent, fatty, ill-suited.
- Usage evidence: No one but a strong man is fit for the post.
How to use "fit"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "fit" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "fit" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "fit" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "fit" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "fit" is acting as adj, name, noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "a propos" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "fit", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The degree to which something fits.
"This shirt is a bad fit."
- 2 A section of a poem or ballad. archaic
"Dr. Percy has written a long ballad in many fits."
- 3 A seizure or convulsion.
"My grandfather died after having a fit."
- 4 An outfit, a set of clothing. slang
"How do you like the fit?"
- 5 Initialism of feed-in tariff. abbreviation, alt-of, countable, initialism
Show 15 more definitions
- 6 Initialism of feed-in tariff. abbreviation, alt-of, initialism
- 7 a sudden flurry of activity (often for no obvious reason) wordnet
- 8 Conformity of elements one to another.
"It's hard to get a good fit using second-hand parts."
- 9 A sudden and vigorous appearance of a symptom over a short period of time.
- 10 Initialism of fully inclusive tour. abbreviation, alt-of, initialism, uncountable
- 11 the manner in which something fits wordnet
- 12 The part of an object upon which anything fits tightly.
- 13 A sudden outburst of emotion.
"He had a laughing fit which lasted more than ten minutes."
- 14 Initialism of fully independent travel. abbreviation, alt-of, initialism, uncountable
- 15 a sudden uncontrollable attack wordnet
- 16 Measure of how well a particular commercial execution captures the character or values of a brand.
"The Wonder Bread advertising research results showed the “White Picket Fence” commercial had strong fit ratings."
- 17 A sudden burst (of an activity).
"A fit of spring-cleaning led Eric Brooks to a box of old newspaper clips from 1997."
- 18 a display of bad temper wordnet
- 19 Goodness of fit.
- 20 The quality of a partnership's combined holding of cards in a suit, particularly of trump.
"During the auction, it is often a partnership's goal to find an eight-card major suit fit."
Verb
- 1 To be suitable for. transitive
"It fits the purpose."
- 2 To suffer a fit. intransitive
"A spokesman said: "It is believed they (the dogs) got into the lake and drank from it. They came out and started fitting. Shortly after that three of them died and vets are attempting to resuscitate the other one.""
- 3 simple past and past participle of fight; fought. Ireland, Southern-US, dated, form-of, participle, past
"There wonst was two cats in Kilkenny; / And aich thought there was one cat too many. / So they quarrelled and fit; / And they scratched, and they bit; / Till, excepting their tails / And some scraps of their nails, / Instead of two cats there wan't any."
- 4 insert or adjust several objects or people wordnet
- 5 To have sufficient space available at some location to be able to be there. intransitive
"Ten clowns fit in the car, but not a hundred."
Show 20 more definitions
- 6 make fit wordnet
- 7 To conform to in size and shape. transitive
"The small shirt doesn't fit me, so I'll buy the medium size."
- 8 make correspond or harmonize wordnet
- 9 To be of the right size and shape intransitive
"I know the pieces fit / 'Cause I watched them fall away"
- 10 fill, satisfy or meet a want or need or condition or restriction wordnet
- 11 To make conform in size and shape. transitive
"I want to fit the drapes to the windows."
- 12 provide with (something) usually for a specific purpose wordnet
- 13 To make conform in size and shape.; To tailor; to change to the appropriate size. transitive
"I had a suit fitted by the tailor."
- 14 be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics wordnet
- 15 To be in agreement with. transitive
"These definitions fit most of the usage."
- 16 be the right size or shape; fit correctly or as desired wordnet
- 17 To adjust. transitive
"The regression program fit a line to the data."
- 18 be agreeable or acceptable to wordnet
- 19 To attach, especially when requiring exact positioning or sizing. transitive
"Williams had a problem fitting his left rear tyre and that left Alonso only 3.1secs adrift when he rejoined from his final stop three laps later."
- 20 conform to some shape or size wordnet
- 21 To equip or supply. transitive
"The chandler will fit us with provisions for a month."
- 22 To make ready. transitive
"I’m fitting the ship for a summer sail home."
- 23 To be seemly. archaic, intransitive
- 24 To be proper or becoming.
"Nor fits it to prolong the heav'nly feast."
- 25 To be in harmony. intransitive
"The paint, the fabrics, the rugs all fit."
Adjective
- 1 Suitable; proper
"You have nothing to say about it. I'll do exactly as I see fit."
- 2 Adapted to a purpose or environment.
"survival of the fittest"
- 3 In good shape; physically well.
"You don't have to be a good climber for Kilimanjaro, but you do have to be fit."
- 4 Sexually attractive; good-looking; fanciable. British, informal, slang
"I think the girl working in the office is fit."
- 5 Prepared; ready. obsolete
"So fit to shoot, she singled forth among her foes who first her quarry's strength should feel."
Adjective
- 1 physically and mentally sound or healthy wordnet
- 2 meeting adequate standards for a purpose wordnet
- 3 (usually followed by ‘to’ or ‘for’) on the point of or strongly disposed wordnet
Proper Noun
- 1 Initialism of flexible and interoperable data transfer, a format used by Garmin devices. abbreviation, alt-of, initialism
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"No one but a strong man is fit for the post."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "fit"?
Common synonyms include: a propos, abdominal epilepsy, able, able-bodied, acceptable, access.
How do you use "fit" in a sentence?
No one but a strong man is fit for the post.
How do you pronounce "fit"?
Pronounced /fɪt/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
Possibly from Middle English fit (“an adversary of equal power”), of uncertain further origin. The original sense appears to have been "to marshal or deploy troops", which shifted to "to suit (troops to a certain location" > "suitable", and may be further related to Icelandic fitja (“to web, knit, cast on”).
Etymology 2
Unknown, possibly from Old English fitt (“song”), or from the sense of fitted to length. Compare Old Saxon *fittea (attested in the borrowed Latin vittea).
Etymology 3
Unknown. From Middle English fit (“hardship, danger”), possibly from Old English fitt (“conflict”)—a word which only occurs once. Compare Cornish fit (“game match, bout”); or else, maybe cognate with Italian fitta (“sudden and stabbing pain”) (see further at Latin fīgere).
Etymology 4
Formed from fight on the model of bite:bit and light:lit.
Etymology 5
Clipping of outfit.