out·size
ˈau̇t-ˌsīz 
: an unusual size
especially
: a size larger than the standard
Nightgowns are generally made in three sizes—small, medium and outsize. —
Amy K. Smith
Amy K. Smith
out·size
ˈau̇t-ˌsīz
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
Neil M. Clark2
: 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
Carlo RotellaHe 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
Anthony Haden-GuestExamples 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
Alexandra Kirkman, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025
Though the Federalist Society does not formally endorse judicial nominees or take policy positions, its network of legal scholars and alumni played an outsize role in Trump’s first-term appointments, including three Supreme Court justices.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 4 June 2025
China plays an outsize role in the drug supply chain for its significant production of the critical chemical compounds, called key starting materials or KSM, which are necessary to produce active ingredients, called active pharmaceuticals ingredients or API.
—John Liu, CNN Money, 3 June 2025
Because of the outsize anticipation, initial reports of delays and extensive rewrites on Season 2 created worries that the series’ intricate narrative puzzle might implode.
—Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025
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Adjective
An outsize circular fire pit presides over a seasonal lagoon that steadily grows as the famed floodwaters arrive, flowing a thousand miles from the Angolan highlands to the delta from May to September.
—Alexandra Kirkman, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025
Though the Federalist Society does not formally endorse judicial nominees or take policy positions, its network of legal scholars and alumni played an outsize role in Trump’s first-term appointments, including three Supreme Court justices.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 4 June 2025
China plays an outsize role in the drug supply chain for its significant production of the critical chemical compounds, called key starting materials or KSM, which are necessary to produce active ingredients, called active pharmaceuticals ingredients or API.
—John Liu, CNN Money, 3 June 2025
Because of the outsize anticipation, initial reports of delays and extensive rewrites on Season 2 created worries that the series’ intricate narrative puzzle might implode.
—Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for outsize
Cite this Entry
“Outsize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outsize. Accessed 14 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
outsize
1 of 2 noun
out·size
ˈau̇t-ˌsīz
: a size different and especially larger than the standard
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