fit Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a display of bad temper
    conniption; tantrum; scene.
    • he had a fit
    • she threw a tantrum
    • he made a scene
  2. noun a sudden uncontrollable attack
    paroxysm; convulsion.
    • a paroxysm of giggling
    • a fit of coughing
    • convulsions of laughter
  3. noun the manner in which something fits
    • I admired the fit of her coat
  4. noun a sudden flurry of activity (often for no obvious reason)
    burst.
    • a burst of applause
    • a fit of housecleaning
  5. verb be agreeable or acceptable to
    accommodate; suit.
    • This suits my needs
  6. verb be the right size or shape; fit correctly or as desired
    go.
    • This piece won't fit into the puzzle
  7. verb satisfy a condition or restriction
    meet; conform to.
    • Does this paper meet the requirements for the degree?
  8. verb make fit
    • fit a dress
    • He fitted other pieces of paper to his cut-out
  9. verb insert or adjust several objects or people
    • Can you fit the toy into the box?
    • This man can't fit himself into our work environment
  10. verb be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics
    gibe; tally; correspond; agree; jibe; check; match.
    • The two stories don't agree in many details
    • The handwriting checks with the signature on the check
    • The suspect's fingerprints don't match those on the gun
  11. verb conform to some shape or size
    • How does this shirt fit?
  12. verb provide with (something) usually for a specific purpose
    equip; fit out; outfit.
    • The expedition was equipped with proper clothing, food, and other necessities
  13. verb make correspond or harmonize
    match.
    • Match my sweater
  14. adjective meeting adequate standards for a purpose
    • a fit subject for discussion
    • it is fit and proper that you be there
    • water fit to drink
    • fit for duty
    • do as you see fit to
  15. adjective satellite (usually followed by `to' or `for') on the point of or strongly disposed
    set; primed.
    • in no fit state to continue
    • fit to drop
    • laughing fit to burst
    • she was fit to scream
    • primed for a fight
    • we are set to go at any time
  16. adjective physically and mentally sound or healthy
    • felt relaxed and fit after their holiday
    • keeps fit with diet and exercise

WordNet

Fit
Definitions
  1. imp. & p. p. of Fight. Obs. or Colloq.
Fit noun
Etymology
AS. fitt a song.
Definitions
  1. In Old English, a song; a strain; a canto or portion of a ballad; a passus. Written also fitte, fytte, etc.
    To play some pleasant fit. Spenser.
Fit adjective
Etymology
OE. fit, fyt; cf. E. feat neat, elegant, well made, or icel. fitja to web, knit, OD. vitten to suit, square, Goth. ftjan to adorn. 77.
Wordforms
comparative Fitter ; superlative Fittest
Definitions
  1. Adapted to an end, object, or design; suitable by nature or by art; suited by character, qualitties, circumstances, education, etc.; qualified; competent; worthy.
    That which ordinary men are fit for, I am qualified in. Shak.
    Fit audience find, though few. Milton.
  2. Prepared; ready. Obs.
    So fit to shoot, she singled forth among her foes who first her quarry's strength should feel. Fairfax.
  3. Conformed to a standart of duty, properiety, or taste; convenient; meet; becoming; proper.
    Is it fit to say a king, Thou art wicked? Job xxxiv. 18.
    Syn. -- Suitable; proper; appropriate; meet; becoming; expedient; congruous; correspondent; apposite; apt; adapted; prepared; qualified; competent; adequate.
Fit transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Fitted ; present participle & verbal noun Fitting
Definitions
  1. To make fit or suitable; to adapt to the purpose intended; to qualify; to put into a condition of readiness or preparation.
    The time is fitted for the duty. Burke.
    The very situation for which he was peculiarly fitted by nature. Macaulay.
  2. To bring to a required form and size; to shape aright; to adapt to a model; to adjust; -- said especially of the work of a carpenter, machinist, tailor, etc.
    The carpenter . . . marketh it out with a line; he fitteth it with planes. Is. xliv. 13.
  3. To supply with something that is suitable or fit, or that is shaped and adjusted to the use required.
    No milliner can so fit his customers with gloves. Shak.
  4. To be suitable to; to answer the requirements of; to be correctly shaped and adjusted to; as, if the coat fits you, put it on.
    That's a bountiful answer that fits all questions. Shak.
    That time best fits the work. Shak.
Fit intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To be proper or becoming.
    Nor fits it to prolong the feast. Pope.
  2. To be adjusted to a particular shape or size; to suit; to be adapted; as, his coat fits very well.
Fit noun
Definitions
  1. The quality of being fit; adjustment; adaptedness; as of dress to the person of the wearer.
  2. (Mach.) (a) The coincidence of parts that come in contact. (b) The part of an object upon which anything fits tightly.
Fit noun
Etymology
AS. fit strife, fight; of uncertain origin. &root; 77.
Definitions
  1. A stroke or blow. Obs. or R.
    Curse on that cross, quoth then the Sarazin, That keeps thy body from the bitter fit. Spenser.
  2. A sudden and violent attack of a disorder; a stroke of disease, as of epilepsy or apoplexy, which produces convulsions or unconsciousness; a convulsion; a paroxysm; hence, a period of exacerbation of a disease; in general, an attack of disease; as, a fit of sickness.
    And when the fit was on him, I did mark How he did shake. Shak.
  3. A mood of any kind which masters or possesses one for a time; a temporary, absorbing affection; a paroxysm; as, a fit melancholy, of passion, or of laughter.
    All fits of pleasure we balanced by an equal degree of pain. Swift.
    The English, however, were on this subject prone to fits of jealously. Macaulay.
  4. A passing humor; a caprice; a sudden and unusual effort, activity, or motion, followed by relaxation or insction; an impulse and irregular action.
    The fits of the season. Shak.
  5. A darting point; a sudden emission. R.
    A tongue of light, a fit of flame. Coleridge.

Webster 1913