fits
fits — verb
- fitspresent simple I / you / we / they
- fitses3rd person singular
- fitsing-ing form
- fitsedpast simple
1. When an object is the right dimensions to go inside a space or through an openin
When an object is the right dimensions to go inside a space or through an opening without being too large.
The old wooden chest fit perfectly into the alcove beside the fireplace.
fit + adverb/preposition: fit into [space]
Rachid tried to slide the bookshelf through the doorway, but it would not fit.
Does this suitcase fit inside the overhead compartment of the plane?
The new refrigerator was too wide to fit into the space between the cabinets.
fit into [space] — size restriction
Even folded, the camping mattress would not fit in the car boot.
- fit into
- fit inside
- fit through
- fit in
- be too big
direct opposite meaning; not a single-word antonym
Grammar Patterns
fit + adverb/preposition of place
Usage Note
This sense is intransitive — the object being placed is the subject of the verb. Compare with sense 2 (transitive), where a person does the placing.
Common Mistakes
2. To place a person or thing somewhere where there is enough room to hold them.
To place a person or thing somewhere where there is enough room to hold them.
Felix managed to fit all his camping gear into one backpack for the trip.
fit + object + into [container]
The restaurant can fit thirty more guests on the outdoor patio during summer.
place + can fit + number + people
Can we fit another chair at this table without blocking the aisle?
The minibus fitted twelve passengers and their luggage with no trouble.
Talia could not fit her guitar case into the taxi boot — too long.
fit + object + into [space] — unsuccessful attempt
- fit into
- fit in
- fit onto
- can fit
- be able to fit
- squeeze in
informal, implies a tight space
- accommodate
more formal, often for people
Grammar Patterns
fit + noun phrase + adverb/preposition of place
Usage Note
The subject is a person or vehicle that does the placing. The object is the person or thing being placed. Frequently used with can/could to discuss possibility.
Common Mistakes
3. When an item of clothing has the correct dimensions to sit comfortably on a pers
When an item of clothing has the correct dimensions to sit comfortably on a person without being loose or tight.
Hyun tried on three pairs of jeans before finding a pair that fit well.
These boots fit Talia so comfortably that she wore them out of the shop.
fit + person (transitive) — clothing fits someone
The suit no longer fits me after I lost fifteen kilograms this year.
Ritu asked the tailor whether the dress would fit her wider shoulders.
Minh's running shoes fit snugly, with no rubbing at the heel.
fit + adverb of quality (snugly, tightly, loosely)
The tailor adjusted the hem until the dress fit like a glove.
idiomatic: fit like a glove
Lotte found a vintage leather jacket that fit perfectly with no changes needed.
fit + perfectly — adverb of degree
Rodrigo's new cycling shoes fit so well that he forgot he was wearing them.
Nina tried on the second-hand prom dress and it fit her perfectly after a small adjustment at the waist.
- fit well
- fit perfectly
- fit snugly
- fit tightly
- fit loosely
- fit someone
- fit like a glove
- fit exactly
- fit beautifully
- be the right size for
more explanatory, less common in speech
- fit like a glove
the most common fixed expression for an ideal fit
- be too big / too small
describes the opposite situation
- be ill-fitting
opposite — clothing that does not fit well
Grammar Patterns
fit + noun (person)
fit + adverb (well, perfectly, tightly, exactly)
fit like + noun (a glove)
Usage Note
Can be used transitively (the clothing fits you) or intransitively (the clothing fits). The intransitive form is very common in everyday speech: 'These shoes don't fit.' Frequently used with adverbs like well, perfectly, tightly, loosely. Also used in the fixed expression 'fit like a glove', which emphasises an exceptionally good fit. This sense covers the full range from a reasonable fit to an ideal, perfect one.
Common Mistakes
4. To be appropriate, acceptable, or well-matched for a particular purpose, situati
To be appropriate, acceptable, or well-matched for a particular purpose, situation, or role.
Yael's background in finance and data analysis fits the requirements of the senior role.
fit + requirements — matching qualifications to job
Judge Osei said the six-month sentence fit the seriousness of the theft, not too harsh and not too lenient.
fit + the seriousness of — matching severity to crime
Does this candidate's personality fit the team culture at the design agency?
Andrés knew his quiet nature did not fit the fast-paced sales environment.
The new software fits the needs of small businesses better than the old version.
fit + needs — suitability for a purpose
- fit the requirements
- fit the description
- fit the role
- fit someone's needs
- fit the bill
- not suit
opposite in terms of appropriateness
Grammar Patterns
fit + noun (requirements, description, role)
Usage Note
Subject can be a person, skill, object, or action. Object is typically an abstract noun: requirements, description, needs, role, or situation. Not used for physical size (senses 1-4 cover that).
Common Mistakes
5. To supply, install, or equip an item by putting it into its correct position or
To supply, install, or equip an item by putting it into its correct position or attaching it securely.
The plumber fitted a new water heater in the basement last Thursday.
fit + object + in/into [location] — installation
All new cars in this model are fitted with advanced emergency braking sensors.
passive: be fitted with [equipment]
Cyrus spent the weekend fitting new shelves in the garage storage area.
The hospital fitted Ritu with a custom-made brace for her injured knee.
fit + person + with [device] — medical context
Ryan had a GPS tracker fitted to his bike after it was stolen.
- fit with
- be fitted with
- fit to
- fit in
- fitted kitchen
- fitted wardrobe
- remove
opposite action — take something out
Grammar Patterns
be fitted with + noun
fit + noun + adverb/preposition
Usage Note
Common in the passive form 'be fitted with' (the car is fitted with airbags). Also used in medical contexts: 'be fitted with a hearing aid / artificial limb'. The past participle 'fitted' is more common in British English than in American English for this sense.
Common Mistakes
6. To suddenly lose control of your body with shaking or stiffening movements, ofte
To suddenly lose control of your body with shaking or stiffening movements, often losing consciousness, as a result of a medical condition such as epilepsy.
Grandma sometimes fits without warning, so we stay close to her when we go out.
present simple for habitual action
During the maths lesson, little Antonia suddenly fitted, and the teacher called for an ambulance.
When the patient started fitting on the hospital bed, nurse Yumi pressed the emergency button.
progressive form: started + fitting
Their elderly dog fits whenever it gets too excited, so the vet prescribed special medicine.
After falling from the tree, Faisal fitted for almost two minutes before the doctor arrived.
past simple for a single event
- fit without warning
- start fitting
- suddenly fit
- fit + for [duration]
- convulse
more clinical, describes the violent muscle movements specifically
- have a seizure
the more common modern medical expression; 'seizure' is broader than 'fit'
Grammar Patterns
[person] + fits / is fitting
Usage Note
This sense is most common in medical contexts. The noun phrase 'have a fit' is used more frequently in everyday conversation than the verb form.
Common Mistakes
fits — noun
- fitssingular
- fitsesplural
1. A sudden episode in which a person loses control of their body, often with shaki
A sudden episode in which a person loses control of their body, often with shaking movements or loss of consciousness.
Eli had a sudden fit in class, so the teacher called an ambulance.
have a fit — sudden medical episode
The doctor said the patient's fit might have been caused by a high fever.
Omar's grandfather suffered from fits for many years after his head injury.
suffer from fits — recurring episodes
Paramedics arrived quickly when a woman on the train had an epileptic fit.
The child's first fit frightened his parents, but the new medicine helped control them.
- have a fit
- epileptic fit
- suffer from fits
- fit of coughing
- cause a fit
- trigger a fit
- seizure
More formal medical term; 'fit' is the common everyday word, while 'seizure' is the clinical term used by doctors
- convulsion
Specifically refers to uncontrollable shaking movements; more technical than 'fit'
- attack
Broader term that can also refer to non-medical episodes (panic attack, asthma attack)
Grammar Patterns
have a fit
Usage Note
Frequently used with the verb 'have' (have a fit) or 'suffer from'. This sense is the most serious medical meaning of the word and should not be confused with a non-medical tantrum.
Common Mistakes
2. A short, intense period when someone does something or feels a strong emotion wi
A short, intense period when someone does something or feels a strong emotion without being able to control it.
Sayaka broke into a coughing fit that lasted nearly five minutes.
fit of coughing — sudden physical reaction
Hari slammed the door in a fit of anger after the unfair argument.
fit of anger — uncontrolled emotion
The comedian's joke sent the whole audience into a fit of laughter.
Jenna had a cleaning fit and scrubbed every surface in the kitchen.
After the terrible news, Lien had a fit of crying that left her exhausted.
fit of crying — emotional outburst
- fit of anger
- fit of laughter
- fit of coughing
- fit of jealousy
- fit of rage
- in a fit of
- sneezing fit
- crying fit
- burst
More neutral and slightly weaker; a burst can be controlled or uncontrolled
- outburst
Focuses on the sudden expression of emotion, often anger; slightly more formal
- spasm
Usually physical (muscle contractions); less common for emotions
- tantrum
Specifically a child's angry outburst; narrower in meaning
Grammar Patterns
fit of + noun (anger, laughter, coughing, etc.)
Usage Note
Followed by 'of' + a noun describing the emotion or activity (fit of anger, fit of laughter, fit of coughing). The phrase 'in a fit of + emotion' is common to explain why someone did something suddenly.
Common Mistakes
3. The way a piece of clothing matches the shape and size of the body it is designe
The way a piece of clothing matches the shape and size of the body it is designed for, or the way one object matches another.
These jeans have a loose fit that is very comfortable for long car journeys.
loose fit — describing how clothing sits on the body
Mathieu carefully checked the fit of the jacket before deciding to buy it.
The tailor adjusted the fit of the trousers so they hung perfectly at the ankle.
adjust the fit — modify clothing for better shape
Esme loved the colour of the dress but disliked the fit around the shoulders.
Marta tried four different hiking boots before finding one with a good fit around her narrow heels.
- good fit
- perfect fit
- loose fit
- tight fit
- check the fit
- adjust the fit
- the fit of
- size
A standard label (S, M, L), not the quality of matching; 'fit' describes how well something matches regardless of label size
- shape
Focuses on the cut or form of the clothing rather than how well it matches the body
- cut
Refers to the design/style of the garment; more about tailoring than the actual fit on a person
Grammar Patterns
a [adjective] fit
the fit of [clothing]
Usage Note
Usually used in the singular form. Often preceded by an adjective describing the type of fit (loose fit, tight fit, perfect fit). Can also describe non-clothing objects — a key's fit in a lock, or parts fitting together in furniture assembly.
Common Mistakes
4. In casual fashion contexts, the complete combination of garments someone puts on
In casual fashion contexts, the complete combination of garments someone puts on their body at one time, often posted about on social media.
Jin posted a photo of his new fit on social media during fashion week.
informal: 'fit' = outfit in social media context
Eshe wore a bright yellow fit to the concert that everyone complimented.
The influencer's casual fit included a hoodie, jeans, and white sneakers.
casual fit — describing style of outfit
Pim changed his fit three times before deciding what to wear to the dinner party.
That all-black fit you wore to the ceremony looked really stylish and elegant.
- new fit
- casual fit
- nice fit
- summer fit
- winter fit
Grammar Patterns
[possessive] fit
a [adjective] fit
Usage Note
This is a clipped form of 'outfit' used mainly in informal contexts such as social media captions, fashion blogs, and casual conversation among younger speakers. Not appropriate for formal or academic writing.
Common Mistakes
fits — adjective
- fitspositive
- fitsercomparative
- fitsestsuperlative
1. Physically strong and in good condition, especially because you exercise on a re
Physically strong and in good condition, especially because you exercise on a regular basis.
Saira runs five kilometres every day to stay fit.
collocation: stay fit / keep fit
The swimming coach told the team they needed to get fitter before the competition.
After three months of training, Mark felt fit enough to run a marathon.
pattern: fit enough to + infinitive
Rosa's doctor told her that staying fit would help protect her knees as she got older.
The gym offers morning classes for people who want to become fit and flexible.
- stay fit
- keep fit
- get fit
- keep yourself fit
- physically fit
- fit and healthy
- fighting fit
Usage Note
Frequently used with verbs like 'keep', 'stay', 'get', and 'become' to describe maintaining or improving physical condition.
Common Mistakes
2. Having the right qualities or characteristics that a particular purpose, task, o
Having the right qualities or characteristics that a particular purpose, task, or role requires.
Adaeze proved she was fit for the job after just two weeks in the office.
pattern: fit for + noun (purpose/job)
The old warehouse was not fit for use as a school without major repairs.
This soil is fit for growing vegetables but not for rice.
The committee decided the candidate's experience made her fit to lead the project.
pattern: fit + to-infinitive
Ramón found a backpack that was fit for hiking in the mountains.
- fit for
- fit to
- fit for purpose
- fit for the job
- fit for human use
- suitable
more general, less emphatic than 'fit'
- appropriate
suggests correctness from a social or moral standpoint
- qualified
specifically about having the necessary skills or credentials
- unsuitable
not right for a given purpose
- unfit
stronger — lacking the necessary qualities entirely
Usage Note
Typically followed by 'for + noun phrase' (fit for the job) or 'to + infinitive' (fit to lead). Can also take a that-clause in some formal contexts.
Common Mistakes
3. In a physical or mental state that allows someone to do something — most often u
In a physical or mental state that allows someone to do something — most often used in negative sentences to say someone is NOT capable at that moment.
After crying for hours, Esme was in no fit state to talk to anyone.
common phrase: in no fit state to
The patient was still too weak and not fit to walk without help.
Kenji drank too much at the party and was not fit to drive home.
The rescued puppy was thin and dirty, barely fit to survive the night.
After the exam, Hui was so exhausted that she was not fit to make any decisions.
pattern: not fit to + infinitive
- in no fit state to
- not fit to
- barely fit to
- fit to (in negative clauses only)
Usage Note
Almost always used in negative constructions: 'not fit to [verb]', 'in no fit state to [verb]'. Positive uses are rare and usually require a qualifier like 'barely' or 'just about'.
Common Mistakes
4. Describing food or drink that is in a safe enough state for people to consume wi
Describing food or drink that is in a safe enough state for people to consume without risk of harm.
The restaurant was closed because the food was no longer fit for human consumption.
fixed phrase: fit for human consumption
This water has been tested in a lab and is now fit to drink.
Talia checked the milk carton date to see if it was still fit to use.
The government warned that fish from the polluted river were not fit to eat.
Before refrigeration, people dried or salted meat to keep it fit for months.
- fit for human consumption
- fit to eat
- fit to drink
- fit to use
- edible
safe to eat, without implying quality
- consumable
more formal, can apply to drink as well as food
Usage Note
Most commonly appears in the fixed expression 'fit for human consumption'. Also used with specific verbs like 'fit to eat', 'fit to drink'. Rarely used alone without a complement.
Common Mistakes
5. Believing that a particular course of action is the right one under the circumst
Believing that a particular course of action is the right one under the circumstances — always appears in the fixed expressions 'see fit' or 'think fit'.
The manager may change the work schedule as she sees fit.
fixed phrase: as [subject] sees fit
Maja gave money to whichever charity she thought fit to support.
pattern: think fit + to-infinitive
The committee will discipline the student in whatever way it sees fit.
Professor Chen told her research assistants to divide the lab tasks as they saw fit.
The school board cancelled the trip as it did not see fit to approve the budget.
- see fit
- think fit
- as you see fit
- see fit to
- thought fit to
- appropriate
can be used independently as an adjective; 'see fit' is a fixed phrase
- proper
adds a sense of moral correctness
Usage Note
Always appears within the fixed constructions 'see fit' or 'think fit'. Never used alone as 'fit' in this sense. Common patterns: 'as [subject] sees fit', '[subject] saw fit to [verb]'.
Common Mistakes
6. Sexually attractive, especially in terms of body shape and physical appearance.
Sexually attractive, especially in terms of body shape and physical appearance.
Aylin told her friend that the new waiter at the cafe was really fit.
informal British slang
Liam blushed when his date called him fit as they walked out of the restaurant.
When Amara told her flatmates the new neighbour was fit, they all rushed to the window.
The fitness influencer posted a photo and hundreds of fans called him fit.
The whole office went quiet when Chidera walked in looking incredibly fit in her tailored suit.
- really fit
- so fit
- fit bloke
- fit body
- hot
more widely used in American English, same register
- sexy
more direct and less slangy
- attractive
more formal and general
- unattractive
not physically appealing
Usage Note
Informal British slang. Primarily describes physical and sexual attractiveness, not personality or character. Less common in American English where 'hot' is preferred.
Common Mistakes
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/5
Fit and suit are the closest pair, but there is a subtle distinction in focus. When something fits a requirement, it meets the objective criteria — a candidate's skills fit the job description, or a key fits a lock. Suit is more subjective and personal — the working hours suit your lifestyle, or this colour suits your complexion. Match emphasises similarity and equivalence rather than suitability: a fingerprint matches the one in the database, or the socks match the shirt. Go with is more informal and suggests two things complement each other harmoniously: this sauce goes with fish, or those shoes go with your bag. For the adjective sense (physically healthy), fit implies an active, trained body built through regular exercise, while healthy is broader, covering diet, mental health, and absence of disease. In shape is a colloquial alternative to fit, often used after a period of training: I'm not in shape right now. For the noun senses, fit (seizure) is the everyday word; seizure is the more clinical term used by doctors. Spasm is narrower, describing only the involuntary muscle contraction rather than the full loss of consciousness. For the fashion noun, fit (slang) is clipped from outfit and is used informally; ensemble implies a more carefully curated, deliberate combination of garments.
Common collocations
Phrases
- fit like a glove
- fit the bill
- as you see fit
- fit for purpose
- fit for human consumption
- fit to be tied
- throw a fit
- have a fit
- in a fit of
- keep fit
- stay fit
Etymology
The word fit has two distinct historical origins that later merged into one spelling. The verb and adjective senses meaning 'well-suited' or 'the right size' come from Middle English fitten ('to marshal or arrange troops'), descended from Old English fitt ('a conflict, a fitting'), ultimately from Proto-Germanic *fitiją or *fitjaną. The core idea was bringing things into their proper arrangement. By the 16th century the verb had acquired the clothing sense 'to be the right size', and by the 19th century the adjective came to mean 'physically healthy' (originally in the phrase fit for service). Separately, the noun fit meaning 'a sudden attack or seizure' comes from a different Proto-Germanic root (*fit-, 'a painful experience'), related to Old English fitt ('a struggle, an ordeal'). This medical sense appeared in English before 1000 AD and is historically unrelated to the 'arrangement' family, though the two roots had become identical in spelling by Middle English.
First known use
14th century
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b(1) Verb