fitter; fittest
1
a
: acceptable from a particular viewpoint (as of competence or morality) : proper
a movie fit for the whole family
b(1)
: adapted to an end or design : suitable by nature or by art
found him to be a fit officer and gentleman—
Time
Time
(2)
: adapted to the environment so as to be capable of surviving
2
: sound physically and mentally : healthy
keeps fit by playing tennis and handball
3
a
: put into a suitable state : made ready
get the house fit for company
getting the ship fit for sea
b
: being in such a state as to be or seem ready to do or suffer something
fair fit to cry I was—Bryan MacMahon
Bryan MacMahonlaughing fit to burst
fitly
adverb
fitted or fit; fitting; fits
1
a
: to conform correctly to the shape or size of
These jeans don't fit me anymore.
b(1)
: to insert or adjust until correctly in place
Fit the dough into the pan.
He had some trouble fitting all of the pieces back into place.
(2)
: to make or adjust to the right shape and size
Theresa uploaded a snapshot on Twitter showing some of the mannequins she uses to fit the costumes.—Gemma Strong
Gemma Strong
(3)
: to measure for determining the specifications of something to be worn by
The tailor fitted him for a new suit.
c
: to make a place or room for : accommodate
She fit all of the books into a single box.
2
a
: to be suitable for or to : harmonize with
"My first impression of Joy was that her name fit her perfectly. She radiated joy and calmness …"—Beth Coger
Beth Coger
b
archaic
: to be seemly or proper for
It fits us, then, to be as provident / As fear may teach us …—William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare3
: to be in agreement or accord with
The theory fits all the facts.
4
a
: to put into a condition of readiness
His temperament fitted him to understand an age of courageous exploits …—Van Wyck Brooks
Van Wyck Brooks
b
: to cause to conform to or suit something
You must fit the words to the music.
5
6
mathematics
: to adjust (a smooth curve of a specified type) to a given set of points
1
: to conform to a particular shape or size
The dress fits perfectly.
also
: to be accommodated
Will we all fit into the car?
2
: to be in harmony or accord : belong
—often used with in
"He wanted the house to look natural, to fit in with the island landscape. …"—Olivia Harrison
Olivia HarrisonI arrived in the United States at age three and grew up wanting both to live up to the … expectations of my parents and to fit in with the customs of my new homeland.—Nely Galán
Nely Galán3
chiefly British
: to experience or be affected with a seizure and especially an epileptic seizure
The 48-year-old was shopping in Stourbridge's Ryemarket when she collapsed and began fitting.—Birmingham (U.K.) Evening Mail
Birmingham (U.K.) Evening Mail4
archaic
: to be seemly, proper, or suitable
Why dost thou laugh? It fits not with this hour.—William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare
fitter
noun
: the fact, condition, or manner of fitting or being fitted: such as
a
: the way clothing fits the wearer
b
: the degree of closeness between surfaces in an assembly of parts
c
1
: an emotional reaction (as in anger or frustration)
has a fit when I show up late
2
: a sudden burst or flurry (as of activity)
cleaned the whole house in a fit of efficiency
3
a
: a sudden violent attack of a disease (such as epilepsy) especially when marked by convulsions or unconsciousness : paroxysm
b
: a sudden but transient attack of a physical disturbance
archaic
: a division of a poem or song
fit
6 of 6dialectal past tense and past participle of fight
Synonyms
Examples of fit in a Sentence
Adjective
Patients are encouraged to get fit.
Are you fit enough to walk there?
Verb
The suit fits him perfectly.
I hope this key fits the lock.
The two pieces fit each other perfectly.
This calculator will fit nicely in your shirt pocket.
The two pieces fit together perfectly.
How many people can fit in a phone booth?
The box was too large to fit through the door.
I can't fit all these groceries into the trunk of my car.
We weren't able to fit the box through the door.
fitting the jacket to the customer
without her medication, she'd have an epileptic fit
helpless fits of laughter from the audience
found out what his wife had spent on clothes and threw a fit
Recent Examples on the Web
Ashley Thess, Outdoor Life, 14 Nov. 2024
This needs significant lead time – for grids to be added, workforce to be trained, electricity generation projects to be put on ground, institutional set ups to be made fit for purpose, and most importantly, policies and regulations that drive investment to be put in place.
—Sumant Sinha, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 12 Nov. 2024
The dish fits perfectly with Julia Rivera’s cooking style, which fuses her family’s Korean cuisine with other cuisines, like Mexican.
Tokio, in Denver’s Ballpark district, also keeps cheesy ramen, Cremoso Diablo, on the menu.
—Jonathan Shikes, The Denver Post, 11 Nov. 2024
Ashley Thess, Outdoor Life, 14 Nov. 2024
The precisely contoured shell shape provides a very close fit through the instep, ankles, and heel, but with enough curvature to encompass—rather than crush—bony protrusions.
—Outside Editors, Outside Online, 11 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for fit 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Adjective
Outdoor Life trail runners tested and reviewed the best running headlamps that have a secure fit, steady lighting, and adequate throw for navigating rough terrain at high speeds.
—Ashley Thess, Outdoor Life, 14 Nov. 2024
This needs significant lead time – for grids to be added, workforce to be trained, electricity generation projects to be put on ground, institutional set ups to be made fit for purpose, and most importantly, policies and regulations that drive investment to be put in place.
—Sumant Sinha, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
Years later, when NASA first measured it, the storm could fit about two Earths within its borders, and now that number is more like one.
—Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 12 Nov. 2024
The dish fits perfectly with Julia Rivera’s cooking style, which fuses her family’s Korean cuisine with other cuisines, like Mexican.
Tokio, in Denver’s Ballpark district, also keeps cheesy ramen, Cremoso Diablo, on the menu.
—Jonathan Shikes, The Denver Post, 11 Nov. 2024
Noun
The cords are similar to the ones on our best overall pick and provide a stable fit while running, though the Nu25 isn’t as immovable as the harness system of the Nao RL.
—Ashley Thess, Outdoor Life, 14 Nov. 2024
The precisely contoured shell shape provides a very close fit through the instep, ankles, and heel, but with enough curvature to encompass—rather than crush—bony protrusions.
—Outside Editors, Outside Online, 11 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for fit
Dictionary Entries Near fit
Cite this Entry
“Fit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fit. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
fit
1 of 4 adjective
fitter; fittest
1
: suitable for a particular purpose
water fit for drinking
especially
: so adapted to the environment as to be capable of surviving
—often used in the phrase survival of the fittest
2
: acceptable from a particular point of view : proper
a movie fit for the whole family
3
: ready entry 1 sense 1, prepared
get the ship fit for sea
4
: qualified sense 1, competent
fit for the job
5
: sound physically and mentally : healthy
fitness
noun
fit
2 of 4 noun1
: a sudden violent attack of a disease or condition (as epilepsy) especially when marked by convulsions or loss of consciousness
2
: a sudden outburst (as of laughter or anger)
fit
3 of 4 verb
fitted or fit; fitting
1
: to be suitable for or to : befit
2
a
: to be of the right size and shape
the suit fits
b
: to insert or adjust until correctly in place
c
: to make a place or room for
fit another chair
3
: to be in agreement with
his story fits the facts
5
: to supply what is needed for : equip
fit out an expedition
6
: to be in harmony or agreement : belong
—often used with in
fit
4 of 4 noun1
: the way something fits
a tight fit
2
: a piece of clothing that fits
Etymology
Adjective
Middle English fit "suitable to a particular purpose"
Noun
Old English fitt "strife"
Medical Definition
fit
2 of 3 adjective
fitter; fittest
1
: adapted to the environment so as to be capable of surviving
2
: sound physically and mentally : healthy
fitness
noun
fit
3 of 3 noun
: the fact, condition, or manner of being fitted or adapted
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