fit Hear it!

fit¹ Definition

fit (fit)

transitive verb fit·ted or fit, fit·ting

  1. to be suitable or adapted to; be in accord with let the punishment fit the crime
  2. to be the proper size, shape, etc. for
    1. to make or alter so as to fit
    2. to measure (a person) for something that must be fitted fit him for a brace
  3. to make suitable or qualified his training fits him for the job
    1. to insert, as into a receptacle to fit a key in a lock
    2. to make a place for: with in or into to fit another passenger into the crowded car
  4. to equip; outfit: often with out

Etymology: ME fitten < ? or akin ? to ON fitja, to knit, tie ends of thread, akin to OHG fizza, skein of thread, ult. < IE *pedyo-, fetter, lit., of the foot < base *ped-, foot

intransitive verb

  1. Archaic to be suitable or proper
  2. to be suitably adapted; be in accord or harmony: often with in or into
  3. to have the proper size or shape for a particular figure, space, etc. his coat fits well; this won't fit into the box

adjective fit·ter, fit·test

  1. adapted, adjusted, qualified, or suited to some purpose, function, situation, etc. food fit to eat
  2. proper; right; appropriate
  3. in good physical condition; healthy
  4. Informal disturbed enough; inclined she was fit to scream

Etymology: ME fyt

noun

  1. the condition of fitting or being fitted
  2. the manner or degree of fitting or of fitting together a good fit, a tight fit
  3. anything that fits

Etymology: prob. < the v.

fit¹ Idioms

fit to be tied

Informal frustrated and angry

fit to kill

Informal
  1. excessively; immoderately
  2. strikingly or showily dressed fit to kill

fit² Definition

fit (fit)

noun

  1. any sudden, uncontrollable attack; paroxysm a fit of coughing
    1. a sharp, brief display of feeling a fit of anger
    2. a transient mood a fit of the blues
  2. a temporary burst of activity
  3. Med. a seizure in which the victim loses consciousness, has convulsions, etc.

Etymology: ME < OE (rare) fitt, conflict

fit² Idioms

by fits (and starts)

in an irregular way; in bursts of activity followed by periods of inactivity

have a fit

Informal to become very angry or upset

fit³ Definition

fit (fit)

noun

Obsolete a section of a poem, ballad, or song

Etymology: ME fitte < OE fitt, akin to OS (Latinized) pl. vitteas, sections of a poem (the Heliand), OHG fizza: see fit

fit Synonyms

fit

modif.

  1. Appropriate by nature

    suitable, proper, fitting, appropriate, likely, expedient, apt, adapted, apposite, meet, convenient, timely, opportune, feasible, practicable, wise, advantageous, favorable, preferable, beneficial, desirable, comme il faut (French), adequate, conformable, seemly, comely, tasteful, becoming, correspondent, agreeable, seasonable, befitting, due, rightful, equitable, legitimate, decent, decorous, congruous, harmonious, pertinent, concordant, according, accordant, consonant, relevant, in keeping, consistent, congenial, applicable, apropos, compatible, admissible, concurrent, pat, felicitous, to the point, to the purpose, answerable to, agreeable to, suited, right, auspicious, happy, lucky, cut out for*.

    Antonyms unfit*, unseemly*, inappropriate. *

  2. Appropriate by adaption

    fitted, adapted, suited, well-contrived, calculated, prepared, qualified, competent, matched, ready-made, accommodated, adjusted, tailor-made, worthy, eligible; see also sense 1.

    Antonyms unsuited, ill-contrived, mismatched.

  3. In good physical condition

    trim, hale, sound, robust; see hardy 2, healthy 1, strong 1.

fit, the broadest term here, means having the qualities or qualifications to meet some condition, circumstance, purpose, or demand fit for a king; suitable is applied to that which accords with the requirements or needs of the occasion or circumstances shoes suitable for hiking; proper implies reference to that which naturally or rightfully belongs to something or suggests a fitness or suitability dictated by good judgment proper respect for one's elders; appropriate implies that something is especially or distinctively fit or suitable books appropriate for young children; fitting is applied to that which accords harmoniously with the character, spirit, or tone of something a fitting end to a fine day; apt is used of that which is exactly suited to the purpose an apt phrase

fit Synonyms

fit

n.

  1. A sudden attack of disease

    attack, seizure, paroxysm, spasm, throes, convulsion, epileptic attack, epilepsy, stroke, apoplectic attack, apoplexy, attack of Saint Vitus' dance or chorea, episode, crisis, bout, ictus, spell*, the jumps*, staggers*; see also illness 1.

  2. A transitory spell of action or feeling

    burst, outburst, outbreak, rush, torrent, spate, tantrum, explosion, eruption, convulsion, paroxysm, spasm, access, rage, frenzy, fury, caprice, mood, transitory mood, passing humor, huff, miff, snit, period, spurt, seizure, flare-up, spell*, conniption*, conniption fit*, blowup*.

by fits and starts

intermittently, episodically, fitfully, unevenly; see irregularly.

have (<em>or</em> </strong>throw) a fit*

lose one's temper, become angry, get excited, blow one's top*; see rage 1, 3.

fit Synonyms

fit

v.

  1. To be suitable in character

    agree, suit, accord, harmonize, apply, belong, conform, fit in, fit right in, be in keeping, be in accord, be consonant, be apposite, parallel, relate, concur, match, tally, correspond, dovetail, be apt, be adapted, befit, respond, have its place, answer the purpose, meet, chime, go, comport with, consist, click*, jibe*. *

    Antonyms disagree, oppose*, clash. *

  2. To be suitable in size and shape

    be comfortable, be becoming, suit, become, conform to the body, hang, drape, give support, permit free movement.

  3. To make suitable

    arrange, alter, adapt, tailor; see adjust 1, 3.

  4. To equip

    outfit, furnish, implement, fit out; see provide 1.

fit Usage Examples

Object

  • kitchen: Modern fully fitted kitchen incorporating dishwasher, microwave, fridge freezer.
  • bill: Well I have recently read two which I think fit this bill well.
  • wardrobe: Double glazed floor to ceiling windows, single radiator, fitted double wardrobes to one end, matching carpet to master suite.
  • alarm: Fit a smoke alarm on each floor if you can.
  • criterion: Does your idea fit the criteria set out below?
  • tire: A: No, we can only supply and fit tires for cars and vans.

Converse of object

  • think: The Panel shall have power to reverse or modify the decision appealed from in any way that it thinks fit.
  • keep: Do schools do enough to help their pupils keep fit?
  • stay: Have a particular passion for writing and try as much a possible to stay fit and healthy through yoga or trips to the gym.

Preposition: into

  • category: If you fit into the category of fleet or motor trader policyholder then you need to ensure your vehicle details are on the MID.
  • pocket: The EX-S600 fits easily into any pocket wherever you go and is the perfect device to capture those can't miss moments in life.

Adjective modifier

  • snug: The LA sizes mean clothes are a snug fit.
  • hissy: Now Blair is having a hissy fit because he couldn't have his own way.
  • tight: Seems robust and end-cap feels as tho it will remain tight fit for a goodly time.
  • perfect: Understanding how to make the perfect socket fit would make a tremendous difference to those people.

Preposition: of

  • giggle: All the passengers started laughing ( with him rather than at him ), which gave him a fit of the giggles.
  • laughter: Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and burst into a hearty fit of laughter.

Preposition: for

  • habitation: These are all vital parts of a building, whose proper functioning is required if a building is to be fit for habitation.
  • purpose: The NHS Information Authority will test systems to ensure they are fit for purpose.

Preposition: like

glove: And instinctively we know which clients ' culture will fit like the proverbial glove.

Browse dictionary entries near fit

  1. fistulous
  2. fistula
  3. fisticuffs
  4. fistic
  5. fistful
  6. fistfight
  7. fist
  8. fissure
  9. fissirostral
  10. fissiped
  1. fit out
  2. fitch
  3. fitful
  4. fitfully
  5. fitly
  6. fitment
  7. fitness
  8. fitted
  9. fitter
  10. fitting