Meaning of “fit” in the English Dictionary

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"fit" in English

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fitverb

uk ​ /fɪt/ us ​ /fɪt/ -tt-

fit verb (CORRECT SIZE)

B1 [ I or T ] to be the right size or shape for someone or something:

That jacket fits you perfectly.
The dress fits like a glove (= very well).
Our new sofa doesn't fit through the door.
I don't think another desk will fit into this classroom.
My car's too big to fit in this space.

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fit verb (BE SUITABLE)

C1 [ T ] to be suitable for something:

With her qualifications, she should fit the job perfectly.
Let the punishment fit the crime.
I'm sure we'll have something to fit your requirements.

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fit verb (PUT IN POSITION)

B2 [ T ] to provide something and put it in the correct position:

All the carpets we sell are fitted free.
She's been fitted with an artificial leg.

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Grammar

Fit or suit?If something fits you or fits into a place, it is the right size or shape for you or for that place: …

Idiom(s)

fit the bill
fit to burst
fit to drop
if the cap fits (wear it)

Phrasal verb(s)

fit in
fit sb/sth in
fit in with sth
fit sth out
fit sth up
fit sb up

fitadjective

uk ​ /fɪt/ us ​ /fɪt/ fitter, fittest

fit adjective (HEALTHY)

A2 healthy and strong, especially as a result of exercise:

I jog to keep fit.
You need to be very fit to hike the Inca Trail.
Opposite
unfit

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fit adjective (SUITABLE)

C1 suitable for a particular purpose or activity:

She's not fit for the level of responsibility she's been given.
Opposite
unfit
be in no fit state to do sth

› to not be able to do something because you are upset, ill, drunk, etc.:

He's very upset and is in no fit state to drive.
fit for human consumption

› safe for people to eat

(not) fit for purpose

› UK Something that is fit for purpose does what it is meant to do.

see/think fit

C1 to consider an action or decision to be correct for the situation:

Just do whatever you think fit - I'm sure you'll make the right decision.
Spend the money as you see fit.

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fit adjective (ATTRACTIVE)

› UK slang sexually attractive:

I met this really fit bloke in a club last night.

Idiom(s)

be (as) fit as a fiddle
fit to be tied

fitnoun

uk ​ /fɪt/ us ​ /fɪt/

fit noun (SHORT PERIOD)

› [ C ] a sudden, uncontrolled period of doing something or feeling something:

a coughing/sneezing fit
She hit him in a fit of anger.

Thesaurus: synonyms and related words

Idiom(s)

have/throw a fit
in fits of laughter
in/by fits and starts

(Definition of “fit” from the Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

"fit" in American English

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fitverb

us ​ /fɪt/ present participle fitting, past tense and past participle fitted or fit

fit verb (CORRECT SIZE)

› [ I/T ] to be the right size or shape for someone or something:

[ T ] The jacket fits you perfectly.
[ I ] The refrigerator won’t fit in our kitchen.

fit verb (SUIT)

› [ T ] to be suitable for someone or something:

The job fits him well.

Idiom(s)

fit like a glove
fit the bill
fit to be tied

Phrasal verb(s)

fit in
fit in something/someone

fitadjective [ -er/-est only ]

us ​ /fɪt/ -tt-

fit adjective [ -er/-est only ] (HEALTHY)

› in good health, esp. as a result of exercise; strong:

You look fit.

fit adjective [ -er/-est only ] (SUIT)

› suitable for someone or something:

She’s not fit to be treasurer.

fitnoun

us ​ /fɪt/

fit noun (BRIEF PERIOD)

› [ C ] a sudden, brief period when something happens that is beyond your control:

a coughing/sneezing fit
Epilepsy can cause severe fits (= sudden muscle movements that you cannot control).

fit noun (EMOTIONAL EXPERIENCE)

› [ C ] an experience of a strong emotion or reaction:

a fit of laughter/jealousy

› [ C ] A fit can be a feeling or expression of great anger:

Your mother will have/throw a fit when she sees this mess.

fit noun (CORRECT SIZE)

› [ U ] the right size or shape for someone or something:

These shoes are a perfect/terrible fit.

Idiom(s)

fits and starts
have a fit

(Definition of “fit” from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

"fit" in Business English

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fitverb

uk ​ /fɪt/ us ​ fitting, fitted, US usually fit

› [ I or T ] to be the right size or shape for someone or something:

Their trained staff can take one look at your figure and tell you which brand of jeans is most likely to fit you.
fit in/into The device is small enough to fit into a shirt pocket.

› [ T ] to add a piece of equipment to something else:

Some insurance firms offer lower premiums to people who fit security locks and alarms.
fit sth on/onto/to sth You can claim money for having solar cells fitted on your home.
fit sth with sth The vehicle may be fitted with a satellite tracking system.

› [ T ] to be suitable for someone or something:

You adjust your strategy to fit the business realities.
Her new role fits her well.
What alternatives fit the needs of the corporation and provide the best solution?

› [ I + adv/prep ] if two or more things fit, or if one thing fits with another, they suit each other well:

fit together The organization and the people must fit together.
fit with sth We select individuals who are most likely to fit with the firm's culture.

› [ T ] mainly UK to make someone or something suitable for something:

fit sb/sth for sth How do you think your career to date has fitted you for this particular job?
fit sb/sth to do sth Academic qualifications alone do not fit a person to become a good manager.
fit the bill

› to be suitable for a particular purpose:

Some travel policies don't fit the bill, because they limit the amount of time you can spend abroad.

Phrasal verb(s)

fit in
fit sb/sth out

fitnoun [ S ]

uk ​ /fɪt/ us ​

› the way in which two or more things suit each other or work together:

The two banks are a perfect fit.
a fit with sth This role is a great fit with my experience in Asia.
a fit between sth and sth There must be a fit between the environment and the organization.
a fit for sth A financial product must be a good fit for the client's particular needs and aspirations.

› the way that something such as a piece of clothing fits:

Testers loved the comfortable fit of the armholes.
See also
strategic fit

fitadjective

uk ​ /fɪt/ us ​

› suitable for a particular purpose or activity:

be fit for sth The Seller gives no undertaking that the goods are fit for any particular purpose.
fit for human consumption

› of a good enough quality to be eaten by people:

Companies and consumers bought the poultry, believing it fit for human consumption.
fit for purpose

› if something is fit for purpose, it does what it is intended to do:

I have spent a lot of my time making this organization fit for purpose.

(Definition of “fit” from the Cambridge Business English Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

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fit

Lists of this kind would not have clear legal status and do not fit in with the procedures for adopting the list of prioritised substances.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
The nations of the world have a shared responsibility for ensuring that all refugees receive a welcome fit for human beings.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
Otherwise, every country, depending on whether it has a broader or narrower understanding of the concept, will differentiate the scope of the directive as it sees fit.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
Her remarks fit this depressing tradition perfectly.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
The second aspect of safety that we have to get to grips with is the requirement to fit seatbelts, which at present applies only to new coaches.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
Above all else, it must fit into the overall scheme of things so that it does not become the bogeyman of crisis management.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
A directive aimed at creating a prudential framework for pension funds must fit in with this process of steady but gradual and coordinated reform of national pension systems.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
The meat from the remaining operational slaughterhouses that is judged fit for human consumption can be marketed on the national territory.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
Protecting and supporting weaker regions and drastically opening up richer markets to developing countries fit in well within this framework of rules.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
We need a framework for the building site so that these building blocks will fit together and a sensible structure will result.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
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