What does outsize mean?
Outsize is an adjective meaning unusually large or greater than the standard expected size, amount, degree, or importance. It is often used for objects and quantities, as in an outsize portion or an outsize demand, but it can also describe challenges, efforts, or consequences: an outsize problem may demand an outsize response. The word is formal and precise rather than emotional, carrying the implication that the thing described stands noticeably beyond ordinary scale. It is related in meaning to oversized and outsized, but outsize is often the more natural form before a noun. In informal usage, the phrase outsize of can mean larger than or in excess of a particular amount. Overall, outsize is useful when scale itself is important and a simple word such as large would fail to convey the degree of difference.
Unusually large in size or amount; greater than the standard or expected.
"The warehouse was filled with outsize packages awaiting delivery."
Commonly used attributively, especially before nouns such as problem, portion, effort, and demand.
An unusually large size or quantity.
"The room was designed to accommodate an outsize of equipment."
The plural is used mainly when referring to unusually large sizes or categories of clothing or equipment; the word is much more common in its adjective use.
"The store stocks several outsizes for taller customers."
Outsize is the linguistic equivalent of reaching beyond the standard frame: it describes anything that stands apart by being notably large.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does outsize come from?
Outsize combines the prefix out, meaning beyond or outside, with the noun size. The resulting word developed in the 19th century as a descriptive term for something larger than the ordinary or standard size. Its components are transparent in modern English, and it shares its root with size and related forms such as sizable.
Related word forms
How outsize is actually used
Outsize is formal but broadly understood. It is especially common in journalism, business, and public discussion, where it can describe quantities, problems, or consequences that are notably greater than usual.
Easily confused with outsize
Outsize is the base adjective, while outsized is a common inflected form used in attributive and predicative positions.
Size means the dimensions or magnitude of something, whereas outsize specifically suggests that it is unusually large.