try on for size

verb

To test an item of clothing by wearing it, to determine if it is the correct size.

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Meanings

verbtry on for size (third-person singular simple present tries on for size, present participle trying on for size, simple past and past participle tried on for size)

present singular third person tries on for size · participle present trying on for size · participle past tried on for size · past tried on for size · alternative try for size

  1. literallytransitiveTo test an item of clothing by wearing it, to determine if it is the correct size.
  2. figurativelytransitiveTo test something for suitability.
  3. figurativelytransitiveTo ponder or consider an idea.

    "Cool. So obviously that's your outfit's kinda thing, but try this on for size on top of it: I did not forget. I still haven't."

    2023 October 22, HarryBlank, “Waiting to Happen”, in SCP Foundation, archived from the original on 23 May 2024
  4. figurativelyimperativetransitiveTo receive an imminent attack.

    Mona: Try this vampire bolt on for size!

    1999, Mona the Vampire, "The X-Change Student" (season 1, episode 6a)
Cite this entry
APA

try on for size. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/try%20on%20for%20size

MLA

“try on for size.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/try%20on%20for%20size. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “try on for size,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/try%20on%20for%20size.

Source: try on for size on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.