outsize

USAGE SUMMARY

The word “outsize” is correct and can be used in written English.
It typically means something that is larger than normal, and it can be used as an adjective. For example, "The company experienced an outsize increase in profits this quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This indirect electoral maths suggests that Ukip's outsize influence on the national debate (relative to their parliamentary presence) could be set to continue as the major parties seek to fend off the threat in their key marginal constituencies.

The Guardian

Three years of drought, decades of overuse and now the oil industry's outsize demands on water for fracking are running down reservoirs and underground aquifers.

The Guardian

I'm just back from Perth where Stephen Smith and I had Australia-United States ministerial consultations �� She stepped off her big plane, eyes hidden behind large-framed oval sunglasses, her hair pulled back, an outsize light blue jacket and black slacks.

The Guardian

This is not necessarily a bad thing, given that all taxes are distorting, and that there really is no way to deal with today's outsize debt burdens that does not impinge on growth in some way.

The Guardian - Business

As history would prove, that was just as the tide was about to turn, and no one rode the bull market wave that followed with more style and panache than Gross, a man of outsize personality.

The Guardian - Money

These days, we might giggle at these kitschy Big Things, but these outsize odes to local industry, lovingly fashioned out of chicken wire and cement, had a role to play.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Those liberals (like me) who take the bait, are to blame for their outsize influence.

The New York Times - Magazine

It is only when you approach the oil-and-gas structure that outsize pipes and valves make its bulk apparent.

The Economist

Iceland, another island with an outsize financial sector, responded to banking collapse in 2008 with an array of limits on capital outflows.

The Economist

The cloud's data centres are, in effect, outsize public mainframes.

The Economist

That was the work of the plastic surgeons who had pioneered beauty treatment, sawing away outsize noses and tightening withered skin over unforgiving cheekbones, via a general anaesthetic, scars and bruising.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "outsize" to emphasize that something is not just large, but unusually or unexpectedly so, often implying a disproportionate effect or influence.

Common error

Avoid using "outsize" simply as a substitute for "large". "Outsize" carries a connotation of being unexpectedly or disproportionately large, implying an imbalance or amplified effect. If you only want to express size, “large” is preferable.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "outsize" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to indicate that they are of an unusually large size or extent. Ludwig provides numerous examples where "outsize" is used to describe things like influence, demands, and personalities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "outsize" is a grammatically sound adjective used to describe something unusually large, often implying a disproportionate effect, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. With frequent appearances in news, business, and scientific contexts, it conveys that something is notably larger than expected. When writing, use "outsize" to emphasize unusual size or impact, rather than as a mere substitute for "large". Consider alternatives like "oversized" or "disproportionate" to fine-tune your message. Given its widespread usage and clear meaning, mastering "outsize" enhances writing precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

oversized

Synonym referring directly to larger dimensions.

extra large

Common term emphasizing increased size.

unusually large

Directly conveys the idea of being bigger than normal.

disproportionate

Highlights an imbalance in size or impact compared to something else.

excessive

Emphasizes that something is more than necessary or acceptable.

inordinate

Indicates something exceeding reasonable limits.

significant

Highlights the importance or impact, rather than physical size.

considerable

Suggests a large amount or degree.

substantial

Implies a notable or significant size or amount.

remarkable

Highlights something noteworthy, often due to its size or impact.

FAQs

How can I use "outsize" in a sentence?

You can use "outsize" to describe something that is unusually large, like in the sentence, "The company experienced an "outsize" increase in profits this quarter."

What words are similar to "outsize"?

Similar words include "oversized", "extra large", and "unusually large".

Is "outsize" formal or informal?

"Outsize" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's more common in news, business, and academic writing. The formality depends on the overall tone and style of your writing.

Which is correct, "outsize" or "oversize"?

Both "outsize" and "oversize" are correct and often interchangeable, but "outsize" often implies a greater degree of unexpectedness or disproportion.