fit

FIT/fɪt/

Verbfits, fitting, fitted

Adjectivefitter, fittest

Noun pluralfits

23 meanings of fit

Practice

1
be the sizeverbintransitive
To be the right size and shape, or to have enough space to go somewhere.
Like a puzzle piece that slides neatly into place.
These new shoes fit perfectly.
The lid won't fit on the jar.
Usagefit means the right size. suit means it looks good on you.
2
suitverbtransitive
To be right for something, or to match it.
Like the right key for a lock.
The punishment should fit the crime.
His story does not fit the facts.
UsageSay fit the job or fit the facts.
Similarmatch, suit, meet
3
healthyadjective
Healthy and strong, with a body in good condition.
Like a machine that works well because it gets regular care.
After months of training, she felt fit and full of energy.
You need to be fit to climb that mountain.
UsageSay keep fit or stay fit.
Similarhealthy, athletic, trim, strong, robust
Oppositeunfit, unhealthy, flabby, weak
4
adjective
Good enough or right for a certain job or situation.
Like choosing the right tool for a job.
The water was not fit to drink.
He is not fit to lead the team.
UsageSay fit for something or fit to do something: not fit to eat.
Similarsuitable, appropriate, adequate, right, apt
Oppositeunfit, unsuitable, inappropriate
Note
5
verbintransitive
To go well together without clashing.
Like instruments in a band that sound good playing together.
Everything in the room fits together beautifully.
The colors fit well in this design.
UsageSay fit together, or fit in with people.
Similarmesh
Oppositeclash, jar, conflict
6
nouncountable
How well something matches the size or shape it needs.
The fit of these jeans is just right.
I really like the fit of this new coat.
UsageSay a good fit, a tight fit, or the fit of a coat.
7
nouncountable
How well people or things go together or suit each other.
Like how well a key matches a lock.
Everyone agreed she was a great fit for the job.
There was a poor fit between the plan and what people actually needed.
Usagea good fit for the job means right for it.
Similarmatch, compatibility, correspondence
Oppositemismatch
8
outburstnouncountable
A sudden short time when you feel something strongly or do something a lot.
Like a pot suddenly boiling over.
She threw a fit when she lost the game.
He flew into a fit of anger over the news.
Usagethrow a fit means get very angry. a fit of laughter is sudden laughing.
Similarburst, outburst, bout, attack, spasm
9
installverbtransitive
To put a part in place carefully so it sits exactly right.
We need to fit a new lock on the door.
Workers fit the windows into the frames.
UsageSay fit a lock on the door.
Similarinstall, attach, mount, fix
Oppositeremove, detach
10
verbtransitive
To give someone or something the things they need for a job.
They fit the boat with new sails.
The shop will fit your bike with stronger brakes.
UsageSay fit a bike with new brakes.
Similarequip, outfit, supply, furnish
11
verbtransitive
To change something so that it suits or matches something else, such as a need or a plan.
Like turning a dial a little until the sound is just right.
The tailor will fit the dress to her before the wedding.
He fitted the old curtains to the new window by cutting them shorter.
UsageSay fit something to a need.
Similaradapt, tailor, adjust, suit

Less common meanings

12
a seizurenouncountable
A sudden attack where the body shakes without control.
The boy had a fit and fell to the floor.
Her dog sometimes has fits during the night.
UsageSay have a fit.
Similarseizure, convulsion, attack, spasm
13
symptom attacknouncountable
A sudden, strong burst of a symptom that lasts only a short time.
Like a short, hard burst of rain that pours and then stops.
A coughing fit kept her awake for most of the night.
The child had a fit of sneezing that lasted several minutes.
UsageSay a coughing fit or a fit of coughing.
Similarbout, attack, spell, spasm, paroxysm
Note
14
have a seizureverbintransitive
To suddenly have a seizure or attack of illness.
Like a machine that suddenly jerks and shakes for a little while.
The patient began to fit shortly after the fever spiked.
He fitted twice during the night and was rushed to the hospital.
Similarseize, convulse
Note
15
nouncountable
How well a math model matches real results.
Like checking how closely a drawing matches the real thing.
The new model gave a much better fit to the test scores.
Scientists checked the fit between their formula and the measurements.
Similaragreement
Note
16
clothing setnounslangcountable
A full set of clothes worn together as one look.
Her fit was perfect for the party.
I need a new fit for the concert.
Similaroutfit, getup, look, ensemble
Note
17
attractiveadjectiveslangBritish
Of a person, good-looking and physically attractive.
Everyone thinks the new teacher is really fit.
He's so fit that I can't stop staring.
Similarhot, gorgeous, sexy, attractive
Oppositeugly, unattractive
Note
18
bridge (cards)nouncountable
In card games, how well two partners' cards in one suit work together.
Like teammates whose skills match up well so they play better together.
The pair had a great fit in spades and bid boldly.
Without a good fit in any suit, they settled for a low contract.
Oppositemisfit
Note
19
foughtverbdatedIrelandSouthern US
Simple past and past participle of fight. This older dialect form means the same as "fought."
'Those boys fit like cats and dogs,' Grandma said.
He didn't just set around and try to out sweettalk^([sic]) somebody; he got out and out-fit somebody. He wouldn't be blowing when he told his boys how he fit for the woman he got.
a. 1940, Mildred Haun, “Shin-Bone Rocks”Here, fit means fought, the past form of fight.
Note
20
noun
The part of an object that another piece presses tightly onto.
21
adjectiveobsolete
Ready to do something.
So fit to shoot, she singled forth among her foes who first her quarry's strength should feel.
1600, [Torquato Tasso], Godfrey of Bulloigne
22
verbarchaic
To be right and polite for the situation.
23
nounarchaic
One part of a long poem or song.
Dr. Percy has written a long ballad in many fits.
1771, Samuel Johnson, "Letter to Bennet Langton

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of fit apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origins

Meanings 1–7, 9–11, 15, 17–18

Maybe from Middle English fit, meaning an equal opponent. Its first sense may have been to arrange troops, which changed to mean suitable.

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

Fit possibly derives from Middle English fit, meaning an equal opponent. en.wiktionary.org
Arranging troops is proposed as the original sense, followed by suitability. en.wiktionary.org

Meanings 8, 12–14

Origin unknown. It may come from Old English fitt, meaning "conflict," or may be related to Italian fitta, meaning sudden stabbing pain.

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 3 facts

The origin is unknown. en.wiktionary.org
Derivation from Old English fitt, meaning conflict, is proposed as a possibility. en.wiktionary.org
A possible relationship with Italian fitta, meaning sudden stabbing pain, has been proposed. en.wiktionary.org

Meaning 19

Made from the word fight, following the pattern of bite:bit and light:lit.

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 1 fact

This form of fit derives from fight by analogy with bite:bit and light:lit. en.wiktionary.org

Meaning 16

A shortened form of the word outfit.

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 1 fact

The clothing noun fit is a shortened form of outfit. en.wiktionary.org