Definition

1. Adjective:

   • In good physical or mental condition; healthy: "fit" describes a state of being strong, healthy, and ready for activity.
   • Suitable or appropriate: "fit" means being right or proper for a particular purpose, person, or situation.
   • Ready or likely to do something: "fit" indicates being on the verge of a particular state or action, often an emotional outburst.

2. Noun:

   • A sudden, intense occurrence: A "fit" is a short, uncontrollable burst of an activity, emotion, or physical symptom.
   • The way something matches in size or shape: A "fit" refers to how well an item, especially clothing, conforms to the shape of something else.

3. Verb:

   • To be the right size or shape for: "fit" means to be correctly sized or shaped to match something.
   • To be suitable or appropriate for: "fit" means to be compatible or consistent with something.
   • To make something suitable or put it in place: "fit" means to adjust, adapt, or install something so it is correct or functional.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:
  • She felt relaxed and fit after their holiday.
  • Is this water fit to drink?
  • He was laughing fit to burst.
• Noun:
  • The child had a fit of coughing.
  • I admired the perfect fit of her coat.
• Verb:
  • How does this shirt fit?
  • The suspect's fingerprints don't fit those on the gun.
  • Can you fit the toy into the box?

Advanced Usage

• "see/think fit": To consider something appropriate or decide to do something.
  • You may do as you see fit.
• "fit to be tied" (idiomatic): Extremely angry or upset.
  • She was fit to be tied when she heard the news.
• "fit like a glove": To fit perfectly.
  • The wedding dress fit her like a glove.

Variants and Related Words

• Fitness (n): The condition of being physically fit and healthy.
  • He goes to the gym to improve his fitness.
• Fitting (adj): Suitable or appropriate under the circumstances.
  • It was a fitting end to a great career.
• Fitting (n): An occasion when one tries on clothes being made; or a small part for machinery.
  • She had a fitting for her new dress.
• Outfit (n): A set of clothes worn together; an organization or team.
  • She bought a new outfit for the party.

Synonyms

• Adjective (healthy): Healthy, strong, robust, in shape.
• Adjective (suitable): Suitable, appropriate, proper, apt.
• Noun (burst): Burst, outburst, spasm, paroxysm.
• Verb (be right size): Suit, match, correspond to.
• Verb (make suitable): Adapt, adjust, tailor, equip.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Fit in: To be socially compatible or to find time for something.
  • He found it hard to fit in at his new school.
  • Can we fit in a meeting tomorrow?
• Fit out/up: To provide with necessary equipment or furnishings.
  • They fitted out the boat for a long voyage.
• Fit together: To assemble parts into a whole, or to be logically consistent.
  • The pieces of the puzzle fit together perfectly.
  • His story just doesn't fit together.

Related Idioms

• By/in fits and starts: In irregular bursts of activity; not steadily.
  • The project progressed by fits and starts.
• Have/throw a fit: To become very angry or upset.
  • My mother will have a fit if she sees this mess.

Adjective

1. physically and mentally sound or healthy
   • felt relaxed and fit after their holiday
   • keeps fit with diet and exercise
2. (usually followed by `to' or `for') on the point of or strongly disposed
   • 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
3. 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

Noun

1. a sudden flurry of activity (often for no obvious reason)
   • a burst of applause
   • a fit of housecleaning
2. the manner in which something fits
   • I admired the fit of her coat
3. a sudden uncontrollable attack
   • a paroxysm of giggling
   • a fit of coughing
   • convulsions of laughter
4. a display of bad temper
   • he had a fit
   • she threw a tantrum
   • he made a scene

Verb

1. make correspond or harmonize
   • Match my sweater
2. provide with (something) usually for a specific purpose
   • The expedition was equipped with proper clothing, food, and other necessities
3. conform to some shape or size
   • How does this shirt fit?
4. be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics
   • 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
5. 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
6. make fit
   • fit a dress
   • He fitted other pieces of paper to his cut-out
7. satisfy a condition or restriction
   • Does this paper meet the requirements for the degree?
8. be the right size or shape; fit correctly or as desired
   • This piece won't fit into the puzzle
9. be agreeable or acceptable to
   • This suits my needs