measure

MEZH-ur/ˈmɛʒ.ɚ/UKMEZH-uh/ˈmɛʒ.ə/

Verbmeasures, measuring, measured

Noun pluralmeasures

25 meanings of measure

Practice

1
find out sizeverbtransitive
To find out the size, amount, or weight of something by comparing it to a known standard.
Like checking how tall you are against marks on a wall.
You can measure the length of the table with a ruler.
Doctors measure your height and weight at every checkup.
UsageSay measure the table with a ruler.
Similargauge, quantify, calculate, determine, assess
2
step takennouncountableplural
An action taken to deal with a problem or reach a goal.
Like a step you take to fix something that is going wrong.
The school took strong measures to stop bullying.
Locking the door at night is a simple safety measure.
UsageSay take measures to stop a problem.
Similarstep, action, move, initiative, provision
3
have a sizeverbintransitive
To have a certain size, length, or amount.
The room measures ten feet across.
These boards measure two inches thick.
UsagePut the size right after it: the room measures ten feet across.
4
nouncountable
A standard you use to judge how good or how much something is.
Like a rule you use to decide if something is good enough.
Kindness is the true measure of a good friend.
Money is not the only measure of success.
UsageSay the measure of a good friend.
Similarstandard, criterion, yardstick, benchmark, gauge
5
verbtransitive
To judge the value or worth of someone or something.
Like weighing something to see how good it is.
Don't measure people by how much money they have.
History will measure his work fairly.
UsageSay measure people by their money, or one thing against another.
Similarjudge, assess, evaluate, appraise, gauge
6
proposed lawnouncountable
A law or proposed law that a government votes on.
The new measure will raise the minimum wage next year.
Voters rejected the measure in last week's election.
Similarbill, proposal, act
7
some degreenoun
An amount of something, often not exactly counted.
Like a bit of something, not a set amount.
She felt a measure of relief when the test was over.
There is a measure of truth in what he said.
UsageSay a measure of luck, relief or truth.
Similardegree, amount, modicum, portion, share
8
unitnouncountable
A fixed unit used to say how big or how much something is.
Like using your shoe length again and again to see how long a room is.
The meter is a common measure of length.
The inch is a small measure of length.
Similarunit

Less common meanings

9
rulernouncountable
A tool such as a ruler or tape used for measuring.
Like a ruler you use to find out how long something is.
She used a tape measure to check the size of the window.
The tailor took a cloth measure from her pocket to check his waist.
UsageOften used in tape measure.
Similarruler, rule, tape, yardstick
10
bar (music)nouncountable
In music, a small group of beats marked off by lines on the page, also called a bar.
Like one box on a grid that holds a set number of beats.
The drummer counted four beats in each measure.
Play the first measure slowly, then speed up.
Similarbar
Note
11
nounarchaic
The act of finding the size or amount of something.
12
size (clothes)noununcountable
The size of a person or thing, found by measuring.
Like getting clothes cut to fit just your body.
The tailor cut the suit to his exact measure.
These curtains were made to measure for the tall windows.
UsageMostly in made to measure: clothes cut to fit one person.
Similarsize, dimensions
Note
13
containernouncountable
A container of a set size used to serve out exact amounts.
Like a scoop that always holds the same amount.
The coffee can comes with a plastic measure for scooping grounds.
The cook kept a brass measure beside the spice jars.
Note
14
speak carefullyverbtransitive
To carefully control your words or actions.
Like letting out only a little at a time so you don't say too much.
She measured her words so she wouldn't upset him.
Try to measure your tone when you feel angry.
UsageUsually said as measure your words.
Similarweigh, temper, moderate, restrain, regulate
Note
15
verbtransitive
To divide something into set amounts or lengths, or give it out in those amounts.
Like sharing candy so each person gets the same amount.
Volunteers measure out food for each family at the shelter.
She measured out the medicine into small cups.
UsageUsually said as measure out: measure out the medicine.
Similarallot, apportion, ration, distribute, dole
Note
16
rhythm (poetry)nouncountable or uncountable
The pattern of beats and rhythm in a line of poetry.
Like the steady beat you clap along to in a song.
The poet kept a steady measure through every line.
The poem moves in a slow, even measure.
Similarmeter, rhythm, cadence
Note
17
upper limitnoununcountable
The most that is allowed or possible, a top limit.
Like a line that nothing is allowed to cross.
The crowd's excitement grew beyond measure as the band came on.
She loved her children beyond all measure.
UsageMostly said as beyond measure, meaning very, very much.
Similarlimit, bounds
Note
18
adjust to ruleverbtransitive
To change something so it fits a rule or set standard.
To secure a contented spirit, you must measure your desires by your fortune and condition, not your fortunes by your desires
1651, Jer[emy] Taylor, The Rule and Exercises of Holy Living.
Similaradjust, calibrate, tailor, regulate, temper
19
nounobsolete
Self-control, and not doing too much of anything.
I will correct thee in measure, and will not leaue thee altogether vnpunished.
1611, The Holy Bible, King James VersionHere, measure means moderation, not too harshly.
Note
20
tunenounarchaic
A tune or simple piece of music.
Like a tune you can hum after hearing it just once.
The fiddler struck up a lively measure, and the guests fell silent.
She hummed a gentle measure while spinning wool by the fire.
Note
21
slow dancenounarchaic
A slow, graceful dance.
Like a slow dance where everyone moves in step.
The couples moved through a slow measure across the great hall.
He took her soft hand, ere her mother could bar,— / "Now tread we a measure!" said young Lochinvar.
1808, Walter Scott, MarmionHere, measure means a dance, especially a slow, stately one.
UsagePeople tread or dance a measure.
Note
22
nounarchaic
A number that divides another number evenly, with nothing left over.
Note
23
verbraretransitive
To travel across or over a place.
A true devoted pilgrim is not weary / To measure kingdoms with his feeble steps.
c. 1590, William Shakespeare, “The Two Gentlemen of Verona”Here, measure means to travel across a distance.
Similartraverse, cross, cover, travel
Note
24
noun
In math, a way of giving a size to a set, used for length, area, and chance.
25
noun
In geology, a layer of rock or coal in the ground.

Practice

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

Origin

From Latin mēnsūra, meaning "a measure," which came into English through Old French.

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 3 facts

Measure derives from Latin mēnsūra. en.wiktionary.org
Latin mēnsūra means “a measure.” en.wiktionary.org
The word entered English through Old French. en.wiktionary.org