# sized

/ˈsaɪzd/ (US) · /sˈaɪzd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sized
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. having a specific size

adjective · CEFR B2

having a particular size; you almost always use this with another word like 'small', 'medium', or 'life'.

For teachers: having a specified dimension or magnitude. This form is typically non-gradable and functions as a combining form in compound adjectives.

- The hotel room was a decent-sized space with a view of the park.
- The laboratory was equipped with several medium-sized centrifuges, each calibrated for high-speed separation of chemical compounds.

### 3. sized up

verb · CEFR B2 · Informal

to have looked at someone or something carefully to form an opinion.

For teachers: the past tense of the phrasal verb 'size up', meaning to have made an assessment or judgment of a person or situation.

- The two boxers sized each other up before the fight began.
- The manager sized up the new recruits during the orientation, looking for those who demonstrated natural leadership qualities.

## Examples

- The boxer sized up his opponent before the fight started.
- The recruiter sat quietly for a moment, carefully sizing up the candidate's confidence before asking the next difficult question.
- Experienced investors spent weeks sizing up the startup's potential for growth before committing any significant capital to the venture.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.