/ fɪt; NAmE / verb , adjective , noun
■ verb
( fit·ting , fit·ted , fit·ted ) ( NAmE usually fit·ting , fit , fit except in the passive)
RIGHT SIZE / TYPE
1.
(not used in the progressive tenses) to be the right shape and size for sb/sth :
[ v ]
I tried the dress on but it didn't fit.
That jacket fits well.
a close-fitting dress
[ vn ]
I can't find clothes to fit me.
The key doesn't fit the lock.
2.
[ v , usually + adv. / prep. ] to be of the right size, type or number to go somewhere :
I'd like to have a desk in the room but it won't fit.
All the kids will fit in the back of the car.
3.
[ vn ] [ often passive ] fit sb (for sth) to put clothes on sb and make them the right size and shape :
I'm going to be fitted for my wedding dress today.
PUT STH SOMEWHERE
4.
[ vn ] to put or fix sth somewhere :
They fitted a smoke alarm to the ceiling.
The rooms were all fitted with smoke alarms.
5.
[+ adv. / prep. ] to put or join sth in the right place :
[ v ]
The glass fits on top of the jug to form a lid.
How do these two parts fit together ?
[ vn ]
We fitted together the pieces of the puzzle.
AGREE / MATCH
6.
(not used in the progressive tenses) to agree with, match or be suitable for sth; to make sth do this :
[ v ]
Something doesn't quite fit here.
His pictures don't fit into any category.
[ vn ]
The facts certainly fit your theory.
The punishment ought to fit the crime.
We should fit the punishment to the crime.
MAKE SUITABLE
7.
fit sb/sth (for sth) ( especially BrE ) to make sb/sth suitable for a particular job :
[ vn , vn to inf ]
His experience fitted him perfectly for the job.
His experience fitted him to do the job.
—see also fitted
•
IDIOMS
- fit (sb) like a glove
—more at bill noun , cap noun , description , face noun
•
PHRASAL VERBS
- fit sb/sth in | fit sb/sth in / into sth
- fit in (with sb/sth)
- fit sb/sth out / up (with sth)
- fit sb up (for sth)
■ adjective
( fit·ter , fit·test )
HEALTHY
1.
fit (for sth) | fit (to do sth) healthy and strong, especially because you do regular physical exercise :
Top athletes have to be very fit.
( BrE )
He won't be fit to play in the match on Saturday.
She tries to keep fit by jogging every day.
( BrE )
He's had a bad cold and isn't fit enough for work yet.
I feel really fighting fit (= very healthy and full of energy) .
The government aims to make British industry leaner and fitter (= employing fewer people and with lower costs) .
—see also keep-fit
OPP unfit ➡ note at well
SUITABLE
2.
fit for sb/sth | fit to do sth suitable; of the right quality; with the right qualities or skills :
The food was not fit for human consumption.
It was a meal fit for a king (= of very good quality) .
Your car isn't fit to be on the road!
The children seem to think I'm only fit for cooking and washing!
He's so angry he's in no fit state to see anyone.
( formal )
This is not a fit place for you to live.
OPP unfit
READY
3.
fit to do sth ( BrE , informal ) ready or likely to do sth extreme :
They worked until they were fit to drop (= so tired that they were likely to fall down) .
I've eaten so much I'm fit to burst .
She was laughing fit to burst (= very much) .
ATTRACTIVE
4.
( BrE , informal ) sexually attractive
•
IDIOMS
- (as) fit as a fiddle
- see / think fit (to do sth)
—more at survival
■ noun
ILLNESS
1.
[ C ] a sudden attack of an illness, such as epilepsy , in which sb becomes unconscious and their body may make violent movements
SYN convulsion :
to have an epileptic fit
Her fits are now controlled by drugs.
OF COUGHING / LAUGHTER
2.
[ C ] a sudden short period of coughing or of laughing, that you cannot control
SYN bout :
a fit of coughing
He had us all in fits (of laughter) with his jokes.
OF STRONG FEELING
3.
[ C ] a short period of very strong feeling :
to act in a fit of anger / rage / temper / pique
—see also hissy fit
OF CLOTHING
4.
[ C , U ] (often with an adjective) the way that sth, especially a piece of clothing, fits :
a good / bad / close / perfect fit
MATCH
5.
[ C ] fit (between A and B) the way that two things match each other or are suitable for each other :
We need to work out the best fit between the staff required and the staff available.
•
IDIOMS
- by / in fits and starts
- have / throw a fit
••
WORD ORIGIN
verb and adjective noun senses 4 to 5 late Middle English : of unknown origin.
noun senses 1 to 3 Old English fitt conflict , in Middle English position of danger or excitement, also short period ; the sense sudden attack of illness dates from the mid 16th cent.