fit

I [[t]fɪ̱t[/t]] BEING RIGHT OR GOING IN THE RIGHT PLACE

♦♦

fits, fitting, fitted

(In American English the form fit is used in the present tense and sometimes also as the past tense and past participle of the verb.)

1) VERB If something fits, it is the right size and shape to go onto a person's body or onto a particular object.

[V n] The sash, kimono, and other garments were made to fit a child...

[V prep/adv] She has to go to the men's department to find trousers that fit at the waist...

[V prep/adv] Line a tin with lightly-greased greaseproof paper, making sure the corners fit well.

2) N-SING: adj N If something is a good fit, it fits well.

Eventually he was happy that the sills and doors were a reasonably good fit.

3) VERB: usu passive If you are fitted for a particular piece of clothing, you try it on so that the person who is making it can see where it needs to be altered.

[be V-ed for n] She was being fitted for her wedding dress.

4) VERB If something fits somewhere, it can be put there or is designed to be put there.

[V prep/adv] ...a pocket computer which is small enough to fit into your pocket...

[V prep/adv] He folded his long legs to fit under the table...

[V prep/adv] The crowd was too large to fit inside the hall.

[V prep/adv] ...filters are available that fit over the lens of suitable cameras.

Syn:

go

5) VERB If you fit something into a particular space or place, you put it there.

[V n prep/adv] ...she fitted her key in the lock...

[V n prep/adv] Who could cut the millions of stone blocks and fit them together?...

[V n prep/adv] When the crown has been made you go back and the dentist will fit it into place.

6) VERB If you fit something somewhere, you attach it there, or put it there carefully and securely.

[V n] Fit hinge bolts to give extra support to the door lock...

[V n prep] Peter had built the overhead ladders, and the next day he fitted them to the wall...

[V n prep] Home spas or mini whirlpools massage and relax, and can be fitted into the bath.

7) VERB If something fits something else or fits into it, it goes together well with that thing or is able to be part of it.

[V n] Her daughter doesn't fit the current feminine ideal...

[V in/into n] Fostering is a full-time job and you should carefully consider how it will fit into your career...

There's something about the way he talks of her that doesn't fit.

8) VERB You can say that something fits a particular person or thing when it is appropriate or suitable for them or it.

[V n] The punishment must always fit the crime.

Syn:

match

9) ADJ: oft ADJ for n, ADJ to-inf, ADJ n to-inf, ADJ n for n If something is fit for a particular purpose, it is suitable for that purpose.

Of the seven bicycles we had, only two were fit for the road.

...safety measures intended to reassure consumers that the meat is fit to eat...

Follow our guide to making your home a fit place to work, rest and play.

10) ADJ: oft ADJ to-inf, ADJ for n, ADJ n for n, ADJ n to-inf If someone is fit to do something, they have the appropriate qualities or skills that will allow them to do it.

You're not fit to be a mother!...

In a word, this government isn't fit to rule...

I'm over 60 now and only fit for gardening and sleeping in a chair...

He was not a fit companion for their skipper that particular morning.

Derived words:

fitness N-UNCOUNT N for n, N to-inf

There is a debate about his fitness for the highest office...

If you have suffered from a serious medical condition, then you should consult your doctor about your fitness to travel.

11) VERB If something fits someone for a particular task or role, it makes them good enough or suitable for it. [FORMAL]

[V n for n] ...a man whose past experience fits him for the top job in education...

[V n to-inf] It is not a person's gender that fits them to be a minister but what is in their hearts.

12) ADJ If you describe someone as fit, you mean that they are good-looking. [BRIT, INFORMAL]

About an hour later a really fit guy came up to me on the dance floor.

13) ADJ: v-link ADJ to-inf (emphasis) If you say that something or someone is fit to produce some extreme result, you are emphasizing the extreme nature of that thing or that person's activity. [INFORMAL]

The stink was fit to knock you down.

...hour after hour, the same exercises until you're fit to drop!

ADV: ADV after v, ADV to-inf

Fit is also an adverb.

Wally was laughing fit to burst... You're shivering fit to die, Gracie.

14) PHRASE: V inflects (disapproval) If you say that someone sees fit to do something, you mean that they are entitled to do it, but that you disapprove of their decision to do it. [FORMAL]

He's not a friend, you say, yet you saw fit to lend him money.

15) → See also , fitting

fit the bill → see bill

fit like a glove → see glove

not in a fit state → see state

Phrasal Verbs:

- fit in

- fit into

- fit out

- fit up

II [[t]fɪ̱t[/t]] HEALTHY

♦♦♦

fitter, fittest

(Please look at category 2 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.)

1) ADJ-GRADED Someone who is fit is healthy and physically strong.

An averagely fit person can master easy ski runs within a few days.

Ant:

unfit

Derived words:

fitness N-UNCOUNT oft N n

...women who regularly engage in sports and fitness activities...

Squash was once thought to offer all-round fitness.

2) fit as a fiddle → see fiddle

fighting fit → see fight

III [[t]fɪ̱t[/t]] UNCONTROLLABLE MOVEMENTS OR EMOTIONS

fits

1) N-COUNT If someone has a fit they suddenly lose consciousness and their body makes uncontrollable movements.

About two in every five epileptic fits occur during sleep...

Once a fit has started there is nothing you can do to stop it.

Syn:

seizure

2) N-COUNT: with supp, N of n If you have a fit of coughing or laughter, you suddenly start coughing or laughing in an uncontrollable way.

Halfway down the cigarette she had a fit of coughing...

It was so unreal that I broke into a fit of giggles.

Syn:

bout

3) N-COUNT: N of n If you do something in a fit of anger or panic, you are very angry or afraid when you do it.

Pattie shot Tom in a fit of jealous rage.

4) PHRASE: V inflects If you say that someone will have a fit when they hear about something, you mean that they will be very angry or shocked. [INFORMAL]

Will Mrs Winterton have a fit if we add one more to the guest list at this late stage?...

He'd have a fit if he knew what we were up to!

Syn:

go mad

5) PHRASE: v-link PHR Someone who is in fits is laughing uncontrollably.

He was a much more entertaining person, who used to have us all in fits.

Syn:

stitches

6) PHRASE: PHR after v Something that happens in fits and starts or by fits and starts keeps happening and then stopping again.

My slimming attempts tend to go in fits and starts...

Military technology advances by fits and starts.

Syn:

fitfully, spasmodically