fit1
Line breaks: fitPronunciation: /fɪt
/
adjective
( fitter, fittest)
1 [ predicative] Of a suitable quality, standard, or type to meet the required purpose: the house was not fit for human habitation [ with infinitive] : is the water clean and fit to drink?
More example sentences
- Under the Sale of Goods Act retailers must sell goods that are of a satisfactory quality, are accurately described on the packaging and are fit for their purpose.
- Mr. Saunders apparently thinks that the boat, as delivered, was fit for the purpose for which it was intended.
- I contacted a wine merchant in London and told him I wanted to buy some that would be fit for drinking in ten years time.
1.1Having the requisite qualities or skills to undertake something competently: [ with infinitive] : the party was fit to govern
More example sentences
- Between now and the next general election we have to persuade millions of people up and down the country that this Conservative party is fit for government.
- William Hague hopes to use this week's Conservative conference to prove he is fit for government.
- Neither of these men is stupid enough to believe that churches are fit to govern a secular society, unlike many of their junior colleagues.
1.2Suitable and correct according to accepted social standards: a fit subject on which to correspond
More example sentences
- Many former stars say it is not a fit subject for the soap.
- But religion is a private matter, and thus not a fit subject for an inaugural address.
- It is not for the Speaker to judge whether it is fit and proper for a Minister to have access to official information.
1.3 [ with infinitive] informal Having reached such an extreme condition as to be on the point of doing the thing specified: he baited even his close companions until they were fit to kill him
More example sentences
- Rhyann looked fit to kill, but it was nothing compared to Gavin's anger when Alex had first fallen under.
- The water hurt his nose and stung his lungs and he felt fit to burst.
- He is so excited about his aspiration that his bubble is fit to burst.
1.4 informal Ready: well, are you fit?
More example sentences
- Now just put on these boots and you're fit to go!
- Are you fit then to return to the lecture?
2In good health, especially because of regular physical exercise: my family keep fit by walking and cycling figurative the measures would ensure a leaner, fitter company
More example sentences
- People who are physically fit are happier, healthier and more productive than those who are not.
- The only way to get fit is to make exercise a regularly scheduled part of every week, even every day.
- Research has shown that most of us regularly over-estimate how fit we are and how much real physical activity we do.
in good shape, in shape, in good trim, in trim, in good condition, in tip-top condition, in fine fettle, fighting fit, as fit as a fiddle, as fit as a flea, as strong as an ox;
North American informal buff
2.1British informal Sexually attractive; good-looking: who’s this fit babe?
More example sentences
- Some really fit guy wearing a gorgeous top came wandering down the stairs.
- Who is that guy? Oh he's so fit!
- I have got a girlfriend from college but I have recently been introduced to a really fit girl through a friend of mine.
verb
( fits, fitting, fitted or US also fit)
1Be of the right shape and size for: those jeans still fit me [ no object] : the shoes fitted better after being stretched
More example sentences
- We have a large range of picture frames of all shapes and sizes to fit any photo, from a back yard snapshot to a professional portrait or even a personal artwork.
- Try shoes on both feet and buy the size that best fits the larger foot.
- A visible callus that forms on the feet is known as a corn and usually results from shoes that do not fit properly.
be the right/correct size (for), be big/small enough (for), be the right shape (for)
informal fit like a glove
1.1 (usually be fitted for) Try clothing on (someone) in order to make or alter it to the correct size: she was about to be fitted for her costume
More example sentences
- One of the most embarrassing moments in Deirdre's life was when she had to be fitted for protective clothing at work and they had to use two tape measures end to end to go round her.
- When you are fitted for your tuxedo a small deposit is usually required.
- The preparations for the engagement event consisted mostly of Marigold and her mother being fitted for gowns at the Earl's expense.
1.2 [ no object, with adverbial of place] Be of the right size, shape, or number to occupy a particular place: Fiona says we can all fit in her car
More example sentences
- Drain the water and set the spears on a plate, and cut them to size so they can fit on top of the muffins without drooping over the sides too much.
- Cut the slices of bread to a size that will fit inside your soup bowls, and toast them until dark brown on both sides.
- Spar have come up with ingenious pocket Eco Bag which is a small, wallet size bag that fits neatly into a pocket or handbag so you're always armed and ready to shop.
2Install or fix (something) into place: they fitted smoke alarms to their home
More example sentences
- Adam, our installer, was fitting some other stuff and left to go on to another job whilst I changed 16 of the handles.
- If not, why didn't you call a local Sky Installation Engineer to fit your dish?
- So he came round, and we positioned it and fitted the great drive-belt.
2.1 (often be fitted with) Provide (something) with a particular component or article: most tools can be fitted with a new handle
More example sentences
- Each table is fitted with a grill for you to cook the deliciously marinated meat.
- Make sure you lock windows and doors, which should be fitted with security deadlocks
- She claims it was sheer luck that the blaze was caught in time, because her kitchen was not fitted with a smoke alarm.
2.2Join or cause to join together to form a whole: [ no object] : their bodies fitted together perfectly [ with object] : many physicists tried to fit together the various pieces of the puzzle
More example sentences
- Currently sheet metal barriers were being fitted together behind the factory.
- Extra fuel tanks may need to be fitted together with spare jerricans.
- The limestone is produced in special moulds and can be fitted together like a jigsaw to form any configuration.
3Be compatible or in agreement with; match: the landlord had not seen anyone fitting that description
More example sentences
- In some respects the description had fitted Naylor, while in others it did not.
- The descriptions the woman gave fitted those of the two girls Tessa had seen before.
- It was clear that none of the six men who claimed to be at the warehouse could possibly fit the police officer's description.
3.1Be suitable or appropriate for: the punishment should fit the crime
More example sentences
- To some no punishment fits such a crime, and these people honestly believe the murderers deserve no sympathy at all.
- That means criminalizing behavior such as the spreading of viruses and setting up a punishment that fits the resulting economic damage.
- But it must be for independent judges, not party political ministers, to decide what particular punishment fits what particular crime.
be appropriate to, suit, correspond to;
agree with, tally with, go with, be in agreement with, accord with, correlate to, be congruous with, be congruent with, concur with, dovetail with, conform to, be consonant with, match
3.2(Of an attribute, qualification, or skill) make (someone) suitable to fulfil a particular role or undertake a particular task: an MSc fits the student for a professional career
More example sentences
- His freshness, his directness and his capacity for making connections with people both in person and on the television screen certainly fitted him for the task.
- He regarded his own intellectual gifts and cast of mind as properly fitting him for the task.
- His passion for lists, dates and details fits him well for this task.
noun
Back to top 1The particular way in which something, especially a garment or component, fits: the dress was a perfect fit
More example sentences
- Perfect fit is accomplished when garments just skim the body, without pulling or sagging.
- A belt that doesn't have holes is even easier, as it's fully adjustable for a perfect fit.
- If you find a pair of black pants or a skirt that are the perfect fit, consider buying more than one pair.
1.1The particular way in which things match: a close fit between teachers' qualifications and their teaching responsibilities
More example sentences
- The band may be sore because there's a close fit between their own fan base and the kind of campus kids who have got into illegal downloading big time.
- It is also a way to gain knowledge of what is a good fit or match for your personality type.
- Marketing is a dynamic process of ensuring a close fit between the capabilities of an organization and the demands placed upon it by its external environment.
correlation, correspondence, agreement, consistency, equivalence, match, similarity, resemblance, comparability, compatibility, affinity, concurrence
1.2 Statistics The correspondence between observed data and the values expected by theory.
More example sentences
- A smaller ratio score signifies good fit, and values near 2.0 are considered acceptable.
- Accurate measurements of these parameters could lead to a better fit of the theory to experiment.
- A thermal history involving two discrete episodes of heating and cooling clearly provides the best fit to the measured data.
Origin
late Middle English: of unknown origin.
Phrases
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(as) fit as a fiddle
- see fiddle.
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fit for purpose
- (Of an institution, facility, etc.) well equipped or well suited for its designated role or purpose.More example sentences
- Quality is inextricably linked with being fit for purpose.
- Validation means making sure the information the customer sends you is fit for purpose.
- The only approximation of the classification which could have been created would not have been fit for purpose.
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fit like a glove
- see glove.
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fit the bill
- see bill1.More example sentences
- I listen to her set out her latest jargon-laden agenda for interfering in the lives and habits of British families, and after a few paragraphs I am afraid I am fit to be tied.
- We know that his family was fit to be tied with him during that time, and for good reason.
- They clucked and fussed and were fit to be tied at the wanton waste they witnessed.
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fit to bust
- informal With great energy: they laughed fit to bustMore example sentences
- It might be that they have snow blizzards up in Scotland just now but down here we've got grass growing, buds budding, and, to my great delight, huge swathes of snowdrops, flowering fit to bust.
- Algernon laughed sufficiently for the two of them, wheezing and hee-hee-heeing fit to bust, having to support himself on Simpson's shoulder.
- Everywhere you go there's someone coughing fit to bust and looking miserable, or cross, or plain old-fashioned resigned to their fate.
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see (or think) fit
- Consider it correct or acceptable to do something: why did the company see fit to give you the job?More example sentences
- Feel free to choose more or less as you see fit, but please explain why you picked them.
- The prime minister is free to do as he pleases when he sees fit.
- He needs to raise some money, so if you see fit, please make a donation.
Phrasal verbs
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fit in
- Be socially compatible with other members of a group: he feels he should become tough to fit in with his friendsMore example sentences
- On an endless search for what is needed to fit in and be socially acceptable, all sense of self is lost.
- She was confident of fitting in socially but, during her first term, the workload caused a few concerns.
- Early on, his drinking was linked to loneliness and an inability to fit in socially with his fellow players.
conform, be in harmony, belong, blend in;accord, agree, concur, be in line;be assimilated into;match, square withinformal click - Be in harmony with other elements in a situation: her project fitted in with the organization’s general aimsMore example sentences
- He said the deals were ‘a good package’ and fitted in with their strategy of expanding on both sides of the Atlantic.
- People were satisfied and extremely elated with the overall results, as they fitted in with the concept of a truly national party, even on face value.
- Helen Kidman, chairman of Ilkley Civic Society, said the guide was meant to inspire finer architecture that fitted in with the surrounding area.
- (also fit into) Constitute part of a situation or larger structure: I don’t think I fit into his plans for next seasonMore example sentences
- We don't have any children of our own yet but I don't see how any child of ours would fit into such a situation.
- She just wasn't fitting into his plan at all tonight.
- Where do you see broadband and videostreaming fitting into your plans?
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fit someone/thing in (or into)
- Find room or have sufficient space for someone or something: can you fit any more water into the jug?More example sentences
- There is enough room to fit the power cable in there, but I think a bit more space would make it easier for people with large hands to connect and disconnect the cable.
- The space inside seems too small to fit the elaborate furniture in the room.
- I have been focusing on fitting my things into the very limited space this apartment affords.
- Succeed in finding time in a busy schedule to see someone or do something: I could fit you in at 3.45 this afternoonMore example sentences
- The organisers were hoping the champion runner would fit the event into her busy schedule.
- This enabled her to decide when she worked and to fit it in around her busy schedule, which included picking up the kids from school.
- How do you fit your workouts into such a busy schedule?
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fit someone/thing out (or up)
- Provide someone or something with the necessary equipment, clothes, or other items for a particular situation: the cabin had been fitted out to a high standardMore example sentences
- On leaving the school the boys were fitted out with clothes and given a bible and a Book Of Common Prayer.
- The next four weeks will be very busy fitting it out with furniture and equipment and making it clinically clean.
- He said doctors on duty will have a taxi available to them at all times to drive them to patients and the car will be fitted out with high quality medical equipment, like a mini-ambulance.
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fit someone up
- British informal Incriminate someone by falsifying evidence against them.More example sentences
- He added: ‘After 27 years of being a thorn in the side of the police they fitted him up for something serious to put him away for a long time.’
- He admitted in early 1997 he was a prime suspect for the murder and conducted a series of interviews denying the charge and claiming police were out to fit him up.
- He told the Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs he had been fitted up with the help of covert recordings for falsely accusing police officers of corruption.
Derivatives
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fitly
adverb
- More example sentences
- In the beginning, it seemed to be a very happy marriage, since the two poets could inspire and parallel each other so fitly.
- She denied she was a strong-minded woman, but ‘if a word fitly spoken and in due season can be urged at a time like this, we should not withhold it.’
- Science since Darwin is fact upon fact, instance upon instance, experiment upon experiment, principle upon principle, which fitly joined together by some master mind may establish some great truth.
Definition of fit in:
- The US English dictionary
- The English Synonyms
- The US English Synonyms
fit2
Line breaks: fitPronunciation: /fɪt
/
noun
1A sudden attack of convulsions and/or loss of consciousness, typical of epilepsy and some other medical conditions: the child had frequent fits
More example sentences
- Febrile convulsions are fits that sometimes happen in a child with a high temperature.
- If the child has a history of epilepsy, it can be difficult to tell the difference between febrile convulsions and epileptic fits.
- Alexandra has cerebral palsy, is confined to a wheelchair and suffers from frequent epileptic fits.
2A sudden short period of uncontrollable coughing, laughter, etc.
More example sentences
- One rehearsal we were supposed to look lovingly into each other's eyes but kept bursting into uncontrollable fits of laughter.
- He muffled his sudden fit of laughter, coughing rather violently to disguise it.
- In fits of laughter, he told them I was his son.
2.1A sudden burst of intense emotion: he had killed her in a fit of jealous rage
More example sentences
- If at all he became angry, he would keep quiet rather than burst out in a fit of temper.
- In a fit of fury Calvert who was known to be a violent and irrational person burst into Smedleys home and hurled a heavy stone ornament at him.
- Yes, authors and creators can suffer fits of pique that can hurt the markets for secondary works.
verb
Have an epileptic fit: he started fitting uncontrollably
More example sentences
- He had had no medication and so he was fitting four to five times a day.
- He has been fitting every day for the last six days.
- She fitted twice more on the way up, the second time slipping dangerously out of the chair at the top of some steps.
Origin
Old English fitt 'conflict', in Middle English 'position of danger or excitement', also 'short period'; the sense 'sudden attack of illness' dates from the mid 16th century.
Phrases
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give someone a fit
- informal Greatly shock or anger someone.More example sentences
- Should I go see Mr. Mercader tonight and give Brexton a fit, or go home?
- My liking of jam and cheese sandwiches always gave my mum a fit.
- Bugs, and anything that crawled, used to give her a fit.
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have (or throw) a fit
- informal Be very shocked or angry.More example sentences
- His mother had a fit, so they married again on New Year's Day 1937, this time with the family present.
- I was in a line of folks standing behind a woman at the bookstore who was throwing a fit because the clerk could not find the copy of The Great Gatsby she'd called to reserve.
- Better get a move on so mother doesn't throw a fit when I get back.
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in fits (of laughter)
- informal Highly amused: he had us all in fitsMore example sentences
- His quick wit and confident delivery had the audience in fits of laughter.
- The rest of us collapsed in fits of laughter at poor old Dave.
- Eventually, after half an hour rolling around on the floor in fits of laughter, I managed to regain my composure.
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in (or by) fits and starts
- With irregular bursts of activity: the economy was recovering in fits and startsMore example sentences
- The poetry is moving forward in fits and starts.
- Like my wife's slimming programme, this year's harvest is going in fits and starts, punctuated by incredibly hot days of activity and frustrating rest periods.
- The improvement came slowly, sporadically, in fits and starts.
spasmodically, intermittently, sporadically, erratically, irregularly, interruptedly, fitfully, haphazardly, on and off, off and on, now and then, now and again
Definition of fit in:
- The US English dictionary
- The English Synonyms
- The US English Synonyms
fit3
Line breaks: fitPronunciation: /fɪt
/
(also fytte)
noun
archaic A section of a poem.
More example sentences
- The balance of this first fytte consists mostly of lengthy dialogue detailing the knight's impoverishment.
- When the knight is introduced in a later fytte of the poem, he is called Sir Richard-at-the-Lee.
- Percy has written a long ballad in many fits: it is pretty enough.
Definition of fit in:
- The US English dictionary
- The English Synonyms
- The US English Synonyms