physical size

USAGE SUMMARY

'physical size' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to the literal dimensions of something, or the bulk or size of a person or object. For example, "The physical size of the house was much larger than I expected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Physical size can be a limitation.

The New York Times

Physical size of tsunamigenic earthquakes of the northwestern Pacific Phys.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

In physical size she was the smallest person onstage.

The New York Times - Arts

It's a study in contrasts – in physical size and in attitude.

The Guardian - Sport

But Culpepper's emergence this season goes far beyond his physical size and strength.

The New York Times - Sports

But determining the physical size of China's test bombs was nearly impossible.

The New York Times

Ms. Eaglen's physical size cannot be put aside out of politeness.

The New York Times - Arts

Needless to say, mayoral Bigness has nothing to do with physical size.

The New Yorker

A promising approach is to reduce its physical size down to the nanometer scale.

Nature

Reducing its physical size down to the nanometer scale is a promising approach.

Nature

Their variation with increasing physical size is also explored.

Minerals Engineering

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "physical size" when you want to specifically distinguish between actual, measurable dimensions and other aspects, such as perceived size or importance.

Common error

Avoid equating "physical size" with importance or significance. A small object can have a substantial impact, and vice versa. For example, a small microchip is more important than a large rock in many applications.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "physical size" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject or object in a sentence. It describes a measurable attribute of an object or entity, as seen in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "physical size" is a common and grammatically correct term used to describe the dimensions or extent of an object or entity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to provide concrete information about measurable attributes. While "physical size" is suitable for various contexts, specifying the units of measurement can enhance clarity. Although often used interchangeably with terms like "actual size" or "dimensions", selecting more specific alternatives (e.g. "height", "volume") may provide greater precision depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overall size

A general reference to the complete dimensions or extent of something.

dimensions

Refers to measurable extents of an object in space, often length, width, and height.

measurements

Specific numerical values that quantify the dimensions of something.

bulk

Emphasizes the large size or mass of something.

magnitude

Indicates the greatness or importance of something, which can be related to size.

volume

The amount of space that a substance or object occupies.

extent

The range or distance over which something spreads or is valid.

scale

The relative size or extent of something.

proportions

The comparative relationship between things or parts of things with respect to size.

linear dimensions

Specifically refers to measurements in a straight line.

FAQs

How is "physical size" typically measured?

The "physical size" of an object is typically measured using units like meters, centimeters, inches, or feet for length, width, and height. Volume might be measured in cubic units or liters, depending on the context.

What's the difference between "physical size" and "actual size"?

"Physical size" and "actual size" are often used interchangeably, but "physical size" emphasizes the measurable dimensions, while "actual size" might be used to contrast with perceived or relative size.

Can I use "dimensions" instead of "physical size"?

Yes, in many contexts, "dimensions" can be a suitable substitute for "physical size", especially when referring to specific measurements. However, "physical size" might be preferred when a more general term is needed.

Is it correct to say "physical size" when referring to people?

Yes, it's acceptable to use "physical size" when referring to people, although terms like "height", "stature", or "build" might be more appropriate depending on the specific aspect you want to emphasize.