WordGarden.iosizable
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /sˈaɪzəbəl/
US
- /ˈsaɪzəbəl/
Meanings
Adjective
fairly large in physical size or overall scale
fairly large in amount, extent, or degree
Beyond the definition
When something is sizable, it's noticeably large, not necessarily huge, but definitely bigger than average. Think of a sizable donation to charity; it's more than just pocket change. The word implies that the size is important or worth mentioning. A sizable crowd at a concert suggests a popular artist, and a sizable debt can be a real worry. You wouldn't describe a tiny pebble as sizable, but you would use it for something like a sizable house or a sizable backyard.
The word "sizable" describes something that is considerably large in size, extent, or degree. It suggests more than just "big"; it implies a noticeable and often important amount. Unlike words like "huge" or "immense," "sizable" doesn't necessarily mean overwhelmingly large—it simply means larger than what might be expected or typical.
You might encounter "sizable" when discussing physical dimensions: "The company invested in a sizable factory to meet growing demand." However, it isn't limited to physical objects. It can also describe abstract concepts like time, effort, or risk. For example, "The project required a sizable investment of both time and resources," or "He took a sizable gamble on the stock market."
"Sizable" often carries a sense of importance tied to its scale. A "sizable portion" of something suggests it is significant, while a "sizable lead" in a race indicates a strong advantage. It's a versatile word that adds nuance when you want to emphasize that something is notably large without necessarily implying extreme scale.
So, if something isn't just big, but noticeably and importantly so—it's sizable.
Examples
- 1
Housing
They bought a sizable house just outside the city.
- 2
Time spent
We spent a sizable amount of time fixing the old computer.
- 3
Workforce
A sizable number of employees work from home now.
- 4
Charity donation
The charity received a sizable donation from a former student.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Sports lead
By halftime, the home team had built a sizable lead.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- a sizable amount
- a sizable portion
- a sizable investment
- a sizable crowd
Word family
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Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- sizableadjective