fit

Healthy and strong enough to do physical activities or a particular task.

• I swim to keep fit.
• She was fit enough to climb the hill.
• Are you feeling fit again?

How to use it: fit enough to do something (She is fit enough to run ten kilometres.); fit for something (The doctor said he was fit for work.)

Similar words: healthy, in shape

Opposites: unfit

Common phrases: keep fit, physically fit, fit for work

Suitable or good enough for a particular use or situation.

• This food is fit to eat.
• They repaired the house until it was fit for use.
• Spend the money as you see fit.

How to use it: fit for something (The room is not fit for use.); fit to do something (This water is fit to drink.); see/think fit to do something (You may leave whenever you see fit to do so.)

Similar words: suitable, appropriate, proper

Opposites: unfit, unsuitable

Common phrases: fit for purpose, see fit, fit to eat

Well suited to the conditions in which something lives or works.

• The most fit organisms leave more offspring.
• Some species are less fit in a warmer environment.
• These animals are fit for survival in the desert.

How to use it: fit for something (These plants are fit for life in dry conditions.)

Similar words: adapted, suited

Opposites: unfit, maladapted

Common phrases: fit for survival, fit organisms, fit for the environment

To have the right size or shape for someone or something.

• These shoes fit me.
• The old key fitted the lock perfectly.
• Will all your clothes fit into that bag?

How to use it: fit someone/something (These gloves fit me perfectly.); fit in/into something (The table will not fit in this room.)

Similar words: be the right size

Common phrases: fit someone well, fit in something, fit into something

To be suitable for a purpose, need, or situation.

• This plan fits our needs.
• His explanation did not fit the facts.
• Does that date fit your schedule?

Similar words: suit, match

Common phrases: fit the purpose, fit someone’s needs, fit the description

To change something so it has the right size or shape for a person or place.

• The tailor fitted my jacket.
• They fit each helmet to its wearer.
• Can you fit this dress to my shape?

How to use it: fit something to someone/something (The tailor fitted the coat to her shoulders.)

Similar words: adjust, tailor, alter

Common phrases: fit a suit, fit a hat, fit something to someone, fit a dress

How well the size and shape of something suit the person or thing it covers.

• This shirt is a good fit.
• I prefer jeans with a loose fit.
• The jacket’s fit improved after the tailor changed it.

Common phrases: a good fit, a tight fit, a loose fit, a close fit

A sudden period of strong emotion that is hard to control.

• He threw a fit over dinner.
• She burst into a fit of laughter.
• In a fit of rage, he slammed the door.

How to use it: a fit of something (He broke the cup in a fit of anger.)

Similar words: outburst, tantrum

Common phrases: fit of rage, fit of laughter, throw a fit