Fit Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster
Menu Toggle
Merriam-Webster Logo
Games & Quizzes
Games & Quizzes
Word of the Day
Grammar
Wordplay
Word Finder
Thesaurus
Join MWU
Shop
Books
Merch
Settings
My Words
Recents
Account
Log Out
More
Thesaurus
Join MWU
Shop
Books
Merch
Log In
Username
My Words
Recents
Account
Log Out
Est. 1828
Dictionary
Definition
adjective
verb
noun (1)
noun (2)
noun (3)
adjective
6
adjective
verb
noun (1)
noun (2)
noun (3)
Synonyms
Synonym Chooser
Example Sentences
Word History
Phrases Containing
Entries Near
Cite this EntryCitation
Share
Kids DefinitionKids
Medical DefinitionMedical
More from M-W
Show more
Show more
Citation
Share
Kids
Medical
More from M-W
Save Word
To save this word, you'll need to log in.
Log In
fit
1 of 6
adjective
ˈfit
fitter; fittest
Synonyms of fit
1
a
: acceptable from a particular viewpoint (as of competence or morality) : proper
a movie fit for the whole family
b(1)
: adapted to an end or design : suitable by nature or by art
found him to be a fit officer and gentleman—Time
(2)
: adapted to the environment so as to be capable of surviving
2
: sound physically and mentally : healthy
keeps fit by playing tennis and handball
3
a
: put into a suitable state : made ready
get the house fit for company getting the ship fit for sea
b
: being in such a state as to be or seem ready to do or suffer something
fair fit to cry I was—Bryan MacMahon laughing fit to burst
fitly
adverb
fit
2 of 6
verb
fitted or fit; fitting; fits
transitive verb
1
a
: to conform correctly to the shape or size of
These jeans don't fit me anymore.
b(1)
: to insert or adjust until correctly in place
Fit the dough into the pan. He had some trouble fitting all of the pieces back into place.
(2)
: to make or adjust to the right shape and size
Theresa uploaded a snapshot on Twitter showing some of the mannequins she uses to fit the costumes.—Gemma Strong
(3)
: to measure for determining the specifications of something to be worn by
The tailor fitted him for a new suit.
c
: to make a place or room for : accommodate
She fit all of the books into a single box.
2
a
: to be suitable for or to : harmonize with
"My first impression of Joy was that her name fit her perfectly. She radiated joy and calmness …"—Beth Coger
b
archaic
: to be seemly or proper for
It fits us, then, to be as provident / As fear may teach us …—William Shakespeare
3
: to be in agreement or accord with
The theory fits all the facts.
4
a
: to put into a condition of readiness
His temperament fitted him to understand an age of courageous exploits …—Van Wyck Brooks
b
: to cause to conform to or suit something
You must fit the words to the music.
5
: supply, equip
fitted the ship with new engines
—often used with outThe guest rooms … have been fitted out with antique and reproduction furnishings …—Mimi Elder
6
mathematics
: to adjust (a smooth curve of a specified type) to a given set of points
intransitive verb
1
: to conform to a particular shape or size
The dress fits perfectly.
also
: to be accommodated
Will we all fit into the car?
2
: to be in harmony or accord : belong
—often used with in"He wanted the house to look natural, to fit in with the island landscape. …"—Olivia HarrisonI arrived in the United States at age three and grew up wanting both to live up to the … expectations of my parents and to fit in with the customs of my new homeland.—Nely Galán
3
chiefly British
: to experience or be affected with a seizure and especially an epileptic seizure
The 48-year-old was shopping in Stourbridge's Ryemarket when she collapsed and began fitting.—Birmingham (U.K.) Evening Mail
4
archaic
: to be seemly, proper, or suitable
Why dost thou laugh? It fits not with this hour.—William Shakespeare
fitter
noun
fit
3 of 6
noun (1)
: the fact, condition, or manner of fitting or being fitted: such as
a
: the way clothing fits the wearer
b
: the degree of closeness between surfaces in an assembly of parts
c
: goodness of fit
fit
4 of 6
noun (2)
1
: an emotional reaction (as in anger or frustration)
has a fit when I show up late
2
: a sudden burst or flurry (as of activity)
cleaned the whole house in a fit of efficiency
3
a
: a sudden violent attack of a disease (such as epilepsy) especially when marked by convulsions or unconsciousness : paroxysm
b
: a sudden but transient attack of a physical disturbance
fit
5 of 6
noun (3)
archaic
: a division of a poem or song
fit
6 of 6
dialectal past tense and past participle of
fight
Phrases
fit to be tied
: extremely angry or irritated
Dad was fit to be tied when my sister came home late last night.
fit to kill
: in a striking manner
dressed fit to kill
by fits
or by fits and starts
or in fits and starts
: in an impulsive and irregular manner
construction proceeded by fits and starts
Synonyms
Adjective
applicable
appropriate
apt
becoming
befitting
felicitous
fitted
fitting
good
happy
meet
pretty
proper
right
suitable
Verb
befit
beseem [archaic]
do
go
serve
suit
Noun (2)
access
attack
bout
case
seizure
siege
spell
turn
See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus
Choose the Right Synonym for fit
fit, suitable, meet, proper, appropriate, fitting, apt, happy, felicitous mean right with respect to some end, need, use, or circumstance. fit stresses adaptability and sometimes special readiness for use or action.
fit for battle
suitable implies an answering to requirements or demands.
clothes suitable for camping
meet suggests a just proportioning.
meet payment
proper suggests a suitability through essential nature or accordance with custom.
proper acknowledgement
appropriate implies eminent or distinctive fitness.
an appropriate gift
fitting implies harmony of mood or tone.
a fitting end
apt connotes a fitness marked by nicety and discrimination.
apt quotations
happy suggests what is effectively or successfully appropriate.
a happy choice of words
felicitous suggests an aptness that is opportune, telling, or graceful.
a felicitous phrase
Examples of fit in a Sentence
Adjective
Patients are encouraged to get fit.
Are you fit enough to walk there?
Verb
The suit fits him perfectly.
I hope this key fits the lock.
The two pieces fit each other perfectly.
This calculator will fit nicely in your shirt pocket.
The two pieces fit together perfectly.
How many people can fit in a phone booth?
The box was too large to fit through the door.
I can't fit all these groceries into the trunk of my car.
We weren't able to fit the box through the door.
fitting the jacket to the customer
See More
Recent Examples on the WebAdjective
Plus, the adjustable bra-friendly straps offer a better fit and added support.
—Megan Schaltegger, Peoplemag, 8 Mar. 2024
Complete with a drawstring for an adjustable fit and 100 percent polyester for ample breathability, this pair fits into any wardrobe, and even makes a great buy for your brother, husband, or dad.
—Alexandra Domrongchai, Travel + Leisure, 6 Mar. 2024
Plus, all the pieces fit in a carrying case with handles, making this activity easy to put away.
—Laura Lu, Ms, Parents, 6 Mar. 2024
The fit and finish—already a point of pride for the Michigan builder—was at another level, while the versatile layout was in line with Tiara’s innovative past.
—Kevin Koenig, Robb Report, 5 Mar. 2024
About 38 percent of dishwashing jobs fit that bill.
—Andrew Van Dam, Washington Post, 1 Mar. 2024
There’s a Harry Styles connection to the upcoming Kings of Leon album, however the latest music from the Southern rockers probably isn’t fit for a sushi restaurant.
—Ralphie Aversa, USA TODAY, 29 Feb. 2024
But the late, great HBO Emmy winner did a much better job of making its absurd pieces and its dark ones fit together, in addition to feeling like a more cutting and relevant piece of satire.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 29 Feb. 2024
Sahin says a key to success and culture fit for independent, international workers is purposeful onboarding.
—Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 26 Feb. 2024
Verb
Other studies have reported similar outcomes: A 2020 study found that nearly 54% of participants, made up of students in Gaza aged 11 to 17, fit the diagnosis criteria for PTSD.
—TIME, 27 Feb. 2024
An area that did not fit into the three-hour timeline was much of JRO’s policy work between 1945 and 1954.
—Charles Oppenheimer, Variety, 27 Feb. 2024
Finding a rug that fits your space, aesthetic, color palette, and budget can feel like one of the most intimidating decor endeavors.
—Christianna Silva, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Feb. 2024
That small experience fits with Wailes' conception of the whole production.
—Jim Higgins, Journal Sentinel, 27 Feb. 2024
But Take Note At a whopping 72 inches in length, kids can easily fit a few friends.
—Heather Balogh Rochfort, Parents, 26 Feb. 2024
With 10 new rail bikes, each tour can now fit up to 38 people.
—Kylie Martin, Detroit Free Press, 26 Feb. 2024
The film then explores the evolving relationship between technology and warfare, and how human soldiers fit into that equation.
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Feb. 2024
Even so, the first-gen Vision Pro fits in pretty well with a lot of competitors’ second- or third-gen headsets in terms of features and capabilities, albeit not so much in terms of comfort.
—Anshel Sag, Forbes, 15 Feb. 2024
Noun
Despite that, some evaluators around the sport have long believed in Ohtani’s ability to be a plus outfielder defensively, noting his speed, athleticism and throwing strength as obvious fits at the position.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2024
Here are some tips for finding the best fit.
Define Your Values
As your representative in the financial community, your financial advisor is an extension of you.
—Janet Arzt, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024
The pullover and pants feature a loose fit that is comfortable enough to sit on a plane for hours while still being flattering.
—Ali Faccenda, Travel + Leisure, 27 Feb. 2024
The parenting style encourages kids to express themselves—and sometimes, for toddlers, that self-expression involves throwing fits.
—Kate Cray, The Atlantic, 27 Feb. 2024
Brands like Staud, Aje and Bernadette nail wedding guest dresses season after season fit for dress codes ranging from cocktail attire to black tie.
—Anny Choi, Vogue, 26 Feb. 2024
But as the shape relaxes below the waist, the fit above must change accordingly.
—Max Berlinger, Robb Report, 24 Feb. 2024
Utilize free trials to find the best fit before committing.
—Bryce Welker, Miami Herald, 24 Feb. 2024
In our testing, three different women found favor with these jeans for their soft feel, supportive fit, and stretch.
—Madison Yauger, Peoplemag, 23 Feb. 2024
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fit.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Adjective
Middle English; akin to Middle English fitten
Verb and Noun (1)
Middle English fitten to marshal troops, from or akin to Middle Dutch vitten to be suitable
Noun (2)
Middle English, from Old English fitt strife
Noun (3)
Middle English, from Old English fitt; akin to Old Saxon fittea division of a poem, Old High German fizza skein
First Known Use
Adjective
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b(1) Verb
circa 1586, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 4 Noun (1)
1823, in the meaning defined above Noun (2)
circa 1541, in the meaning defined at sense 3a Noun (3)
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of fit was
before the 12th century
See more words from the same century
Phrases Containing fit
fit as a fiddle
fit to be tied
pitch a fit
goodness of fit
see/think fit
have a fit
fit for a king
fit the pattern of
hissy fit
fit of laughter
fit as a flea
fit (into/in) the mold of
shit-fit
in no (fit) state
fit to burst
throw a fit
fit to kill
fit the bill
Dictionary Entries Near fit
fisty
fit
fit and flare
See More Nearby Entries
Cite this Entry
Style
MLA
Chicago
APA
Merriam-Webster
“Fit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fit. Accessed 12 Mar. 2024.
Copy Citation
Share
Post the Definition of fit to Facebook
Share the Definition of fit on Twitter
Kids Definition
fit
1 of 4
adjective
ˈfit
fitter; fittest
1
: suitable for a particular purpose
water fit for drinking
especially
: so adapted to the environment as to be capable of surviving
—often used in the phrase survival of the fittest
2
: acceptable from a particular point of view : proper
a movie fit for the whole family
3
: ready entry 1 sense 1, prepared
get the ship fit for sea
4
: qualified sense 1, competent
fit for the job
5
: sound physically and mentally : healthy
fitness
noun
fit
2 of 4
noun
1
: a sudden violent attack of a disease or condition (as epilepsy) especially when marked by convulsions or loss of consciousness
2
: a sudden outburst (as of laughter or anger)
fit
3 of 4
verb
fitted or fit; fitting
1
: to be suitable for or to : befit
2
a
: to be of the right size and shape
the suit fits
b
: to insert or adjust until correctly in place
c
: to make a place or room for
fit another chair
3
: to be in agreement with
his story fits the facts
4
a
: to make ready : prepare
b
: to bring to a required form and size : adjust
5
: to supply what is needed for : equip
fit out an expedition
6
: to be in harmony or agreement : belong
—often used with in
fit
4 of 4
noun
1
: the way something fits
a tight fit
2
: a piece of clothing that fits
Etymology
Adjective
Middle English fit "suitable to a particular purpose"
Noun
Old English fitt "strife"
Medical Definition
fit
1 of 3
noun
ˈfit
1
: a sudden violent attack of a disease (as epilepsy) especially when marked by convulsions or unconsciousness : paroxysm
2
: a sudden but transient attack of a physical disturbance
fits of shivering
fit
2 of 3
adjective
fitter; fittest
1
: adapted to the environment so as to be capable of surviving
2
: sound physically and mentally : healthy
fitness
noun
fit
3 of 3
noun
: the fact, condition, or manner of being fitted or adapted
More from Merriam-Webster on fit
Nglish: Translation of fit for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of fit for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fit
Last Updated:
12 Mar 2024
- Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play
Play
Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play
Play
Word of the Day
ulterior
See Definitions and Examples »
Get Word of the Day daily email!
Popular in Grammar & Usage
See All
8 Grammar Terms You Used to Know, But Forgot
Homophones, Homographs, and Homonyms
Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
More Commonly Mispronounced Words
See All
Popular in Wordplay
See All
'Arsy-Varsy,' and Other Snappy Reduplicatives
The Words of the Week - Mar. 8
10 Scrabble Words Without Any Vowels
12 More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
8 Uncommon Words Related to Love
See All
Games & Quizzes
See All
Quordle
Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play
Blossom Word Game
You can make only 12 words. Pick the best ones!
Play
Missing Letter
A crossword with a twist
Play
Spelling Bee Quiz
Can you outdo past winners of the National Spelli...
Take the quiz
Merriam Webster
Learn a new word every day. Delivered to your inbox!
Help
About Us
Advertising Info
Contact Us
Diversity
Privacy Policy
Terms of Use
YouTube
© 2024 Merriam-Webster, Incorporated
FIT | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary
Dictionary
Translate
Grammar
Thesaurus
+Plus
Cambridge Dictionary +Plus
Shop
Cambridge Dictionary +Plus
My profile
+Plus help
Log out
Cambridge Dictionary +Plus
My profile
+Plus help
Log out
Log in
/
Sign up
English (UK)
Search
Search
English
Meaning of fit in English
fitverb uk
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio
/fɪt/ us
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio
/fɪt/ -tt-
fit verb
(CORRECT SIZE)
Add to word list
Add to word list
B1 [ I or T ] to be the right size or shape for someone or something: That jacket fits you perfectly.fit through Our new sofa doesn't fit through the door.fit into I don't think another desk will fit into this classroom.fit in My car's too big to fit in this space.
fit like a glove
to fit very well: The dress fits like a glove. The specially-made panels fit like a glove over the front side of the fuel tank.
More examplesFewer examplesThose trousers fit you nicely.This tiny device fits into the palm of your hand.Their new car barely fitted into the garage.If you can't fit all the cases in your car, I can take a few in mine.One size fits all.
SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases
Style & appearance of clothes
aesthetic
alterable
anti-fur
Aran
backless
floor-length
flouncy
foppishly
form-fitting
French tuck
ready-to-wear
reversible
ribbed
ribby
ruche
vintage
voluminous
voluminously
voop neck
waisted
See more results »
fit verb
(BE SUITABLE)
C1 [ T ] to be suitable for something: With her qualifications, she should fit the job perfectly. Let the punishment fit the crime. I'm sure we'll have something to fit your requirements.
More examplesFewer examplesHe doesn't fit my image of how an actor should look.He doesn't conform fit the national stereotype of a Frenchman.We had to adapt our plans to fit Jack's schedule.The soundtrack really fits the era in which the film is set.I don't have anything that really fits the occasion.
SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases
Being suitable or unsuitable
age-barred
answer
appropriately
be made for someone/something idiom
become
befit
compatibly
dress/look/act the part idiom
extravagantly
face
fill/fit the bill idiom
level
misdirection
order
out of order idiom
someone's face doesn't fit idiom
suit
suit someone (right) down to the ground idiom
topic
unsympathetically
See more results »
fit verb
(PUT IN POSITION)
B2 [ T ] to provide something and put it in the correct position: All the carpets we sell are fitted free. She's been fitted with an artificial leg.
More examplesFewer examplesWe're having a new bathroom suite fitted at the weekend.He was recently fitted with a brace for his bad back.Do you know anyone who can fit windows?He was messing with his bike and then he couldn't fit the parts back together.My car is having new tyres fitted.
SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases
Placing and positioning an object
-based
appose
around
change something around
circle
consign
gone
install
lie
pile (something) up
plant
redeposit
reinstall
reinstallation
relocate
reorientate
stick
superimpose
transpose
transposition
See more results »
fit verb
(ILLNESS)
[ I ] UK to have a fit (= sudden attack of uncontrolled movements)
SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases
Disorders of muscles & the nervous system
acoustic neuroma
ageusia
akinetic-rigid HD
ALS
Alzheimer's
comatose
crick
dyspraxia
dystonia
EA
epileptic
fibromyalgia
GBS
leprosy
neuralgia
post-encephalitic
progressive supranuclear palsy
prosopagnosia
quadriplegia
retrograde
See more results »
Grammar
Fit or suit?If something fits you or fits into a place, it is the right size or shape for you or for that place: …
Idioms
fit the bill
fit to burst
fit to drop
if the cap fits (wear it)Phrasal verbs
fit in
fit someone/something in
fit in with something
fit something out
fit something up
fit someone up
fitadjective uk
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio
/fɪt/ us
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio
/fɪt/ fitter | fittest
fit adjective
(HEALTHY)
A2 healthy and strong, especially as a result of exercise: keep fit I jog to keep fit. You need to be very fit to hike the Inca Trail. Opposite
unfit
More examplesFewer examplesHe's jogging round the park every morning in an effort to get fit for the football season.At 73, she's still fighting fit, walking five miles a day.Her hearing is going, but otherwise she's remarkably fit for a 95-year-old."What do you do to keep fit?" "I jog and go swimming."Most exercise classes start gently, lulling you into thinking that you're fit.
SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases
Animal physiology: fit & healthy
acrobatically
agility
agree with something
amazonian
athleticism
hale and hearty
in the pink idiom
limber
lithe
match fit
match fitness
muscled
muscular
non-disabled
on top form phrase
robust
rude
sporty
the able-bodied
virility
See more results »
fit adjective
(SUITABLE)
C1 suitable for a particular purpose or activity: fit for She's not fit for the level of responsibility she's been given. Opposite
unfit
be in no fit state to do something
to not be able to do something because you are upset, ill, drunk, etc.: He's very upset and is in no fit state to drive.
See more fit for human consumption
safe for people to eat: The oils need to be processed before they are fit for human consumption.
See more fit for purpose
UK Something that is fit for purpose does what it is meant to do: The theatre is crumbling and is no longer fit for purpose.
See more see/think fit
C1 to consider an action or decision to be correct for the situation: Just do whatever you think fit - I'm sure you'll make the right decision.
See more
SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases
Suitable and acceptable
able
acceptability
acceptable
acceptably
accepted
convenience
conveniently
correctly
correctness
decent
decently
felicity
legitimate
practical
re-eligibility
re-eligible
relevance
relevant
relevantly
ticket
See more results »
fit adjective
(ATTRACTIVE)
UK slang sexually attractive: I met this really fit bloke in a club last night.
Idioms
be (as) fit as a fiddle
fit to be tied
fitnoun uk
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio
/fɪt/ us
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio
/fɪt/
fit noun
(ILLNESS)
[ C ] a sudden attack of illness when someone cannot control their movements and becomes unconscious: an epileptic fithave a fit He had a fit at work and collapsed.
SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases
Disorders of muscles & the nervous system
acoustic neuroma
ageusia
akinetic-rigid HD
ALS
Alzheimer's
comatose
crick
dyspraxia
dystonia
EA
epileptic
fibromyalgia
GBS
leprosy
neuralgia
post-encephalitic
progressive supranuclear palsy
prosopagnosia
quadriplegia
retrograde
See more results »
fit noun
(SHORT PERIOD)
[ C ] a sudden, uncontrolled period of doing something or feeling something: a coughing/sneezing fitin a fit of She hit him in a fit of anger.
SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases
Disease & illness - general words
advanced
aggressiveness
autoimmune disease
bilharzia
bluetongue
complication
gestational
hyperendemic
hypochondriac
iatrogenic
ill health
industrial disease
life-threatening
morbid
second degree
secretory
serial interval
subvariant
systemically
untreated
See more results »
You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Short in time
fit noun
(CORRECT SIZE)
[ S ] the way that something fits: These shoes are a perfect fit. The trousers were a good fit but the jacket was too small.fit of Check the fit of the pieces before gluing them in place.
SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases
Style & appearance of clothes
aesthetic
alterable
anti-fur
Aran
backless
floor-length
flouncy
foppishly
form-fitting
French tuck
ready-to-wear
reversible
ribbed
ribby
ruche
vintage
voluminous
voluminously
voop neck
waisted
See more results »
Idioms
have/throw a fit
in fits of laughter
in/by fits and starts
(Definition of fit from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)
fit | American Dictionary
fitverb us
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio
/fɪt/ present participle fitting | past tense and past participle fitted or fit
fit verb
(CORRECT SIZE)
Add to word list
Add to word list
[ I/T ] to be the right size or shape for someone or something: [ T ] The jacket fits you perfectly. [ I ] The refrigerator won’t fit in our kitchen.
fit verb
(SUIT)
[ T ] to be suitable for someone or something: The job fits him well.
Idioms
fit like a glove
fit the bill
fit to be tiedPhrasal verbs
fit in
fit in something/someone
fitadjective [ -er/-est only ] us
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio
/fɪt/ -tt-
fit adjective [-er/-est only]
(HEALTHY)
in good health, esp. as a result of exercise; strong: You look fit.
fit adjective [-er/-est only]
(SUIT)
suitable for someone or something: She’s not fit to be treasurer.
fitnoun us
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio
/fɪt/
fit noun
(BRIEF PERIOD)
[ C ] a sudden, brief period when something happens that is beyond your control: a coughing/sneezing fit Epilepsy can cause severe fits (= sudden muscle movements that you cannot control).
fit noun
(EMOTIONAL EXPERIENCE)
[ C ] an experience of a strong emotion or reaction: a fit of laughter/jealousy
[ C ] A fit can be a feeling or expression of great anger: Your mother will have/throw a fit when she sees this mess.
fit noun
(CORRECT SIZE)
[ U ] the right size or shape for someone or something: These shoes are a perfect/terrible fit.
Idioms
fits and starts
have a fit
(Definition of fit from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)
fit | Business English
fitverb uk
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio
/fɪt/ us
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio
fitting | fitted | US usually fit
Add to word list
Add to word list
[ I or T ] to be the right size or shape for someone or something: Their trained staff can take one look at your figure and tell you which brand of jeans is most likely to fit you.fit in/into The device is small enough to fit into a shirt pocket.
[ T ] to add a piece of equipment to something else: Some insurance firms offer lower premiums to people who fit security locks and alarms.fit sth on/onto/to sth You can claim money for having solar cells fitted on your home.fit sth with sth The vehicle may be fitted with a satellite tracking system.
[ T ] to be suitable for someone or something: You adjust your strategy to fit the business realities. Her new role fits her well. What alternatives fit the needs of the corporation and provide the best solution?
[ I + adv/prep ] if two or more things fit, or if one thing fits with another, they suit each other well: fit together The organization and the people must fit together.fit with sth We select individuals who are most likely to fit with the firm's culture.
[ T ] mainly UK to make someone or something suitable for something: fit sb/sth for sth How do you think your career to date has fitted you for this particular job?fit sb/sth to do sth Academic qualifications alone do not fit a person to become a good manager.
fit the bill
to be suitable for a particular purpose: Some travel policies don't fit the bill, because they limit the amount of time you can spend abroad.
Phrasal verbs
fit in
fit sb/sth out
fitnoun [ S ] uk
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio
/fɪt/ us
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio
the way in which two or more things suit each other or work together: The two banks are a perfect fit.a fit with sth This role is a great fit with my experience in Asia.a fit between sth and sth There must be a fit between the environment and the organization.a fit for sth A financial product must be a good fit for the client's particular needs and aspirations.
the way that something such as a piece of clothing fits: Testers loved the comfortable fit of the armholes. See also
strategic fit
fitadjective uk
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio
/fɪt/ us
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio
suitable for a particular purpose or activity: be fit for sth The Seller gives no undertaking that the goods are fit for any particular purpose.
fit for human consumption
of a good enough quality to be eaten by people: Companies and consumers bought the poultry, believing it fit for human consumption.
fit for purpose
if something is fit for purpose, it does what it is intended to do: I have spent a lot of my time making this organization fit for purpose.
(Definition of fit from the Cambridge Business English Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)
Examples of fit
fit
Researchers could be misled by the publications of the first category because they were usually censored by the government to fit its propaganda purposes.
From the Cambridge English Corpus
However, many of the interesting problems of generalization in psychological science do not fit this mold.
From the Cambridge English Corpus
His central support also recovered, aided by the party's need to have some provincial governments fit for display.
From the Cambridge English Corpus
Different personality styles and psychological needs will fit best with each of the models.
From the Cambridge English Corpus
It seems on the face of it rather unlikely, but all of the known examples do fit into this framework.
From the Cambridge English Corpus
Unlike a nephrology consult, successful ethical practice does not easily fit in the consultative paradigm: it requires more than a 15-minute discussion.
From the Cambridge English Corpus
Virtually anything can fit these broad categories of definition, with the effect that the defining criterion is no criterion at all.
From the Cambridge English Corpus
We have formulated a constrained optimization problem to determine the least squares fit of a hyperplane to uncertain data.
From the Cambridge English Corpus
Is his omission due to the fact that the classical approach to visual imagery would not easily fit the model?
From the Cambridge English Corpus
We then performed a discriminant analysis on the result that provided the best fit.
From the Cambridge English Corpus
We found that for both red and green center cells the data could be perfectly fitted by either mixed or pure surrounds.
From the Cambridge English Corpus
The following algorithms are used to attempt to fit the two possible primitives to the data points.
From the Cambridge English Corpus
However, the precision of estimation was reduced for models fitted at the youngest ages, reflecting the lower accumulative rates of parenthood in the teenage years.
From the Cambridge English Corpus
Results of the model indicate a reasonable fit of the model to the data.
From the Cambridge English Corpus
The goodness of fit in all specifications is reasonable and the null hypotheses of no misspecification and homoscedasticity are not rejected either.
From the Cambridge English Corpus
These examples are from corpora and from sources on the web. Any opinions in the examples do not represent the opinion of the Cambridge Dictionary editors or of Cambridge University Press or its licensors.
What is the pronunciation of fit?
B1,C1,B2,A2,C1,C1
Translations of fit
in Chinese (Traditional)
尺寸正確, 合適,合身, 可容納…
See more
in Chinese (Simplified)
尺寸正确, 合适,合身, 可容纳…
See more
in Spanish
quedar bien, colocar, en forma…
See more
in Portuguese
servir, instalar, em forma…
See more
in more languages
in Marathi
in Japanese
in Turkish
in French
in Catalan
in Dutch
in Tamil
in Hindi
in Gujarati
in Danish
in Swedish
in Malay
in German
in Norwegian
in Urdu
in Ukrainian
in Russian
in Telugu
in Arabic
in Bengali
in Czech
in Indonesian
in Thai
in Vietnamese
in Polish
in Korean
in Italian
एखाद्यासाठी किंवा एखाद्या गोष्टीसाठी योग्य आकार असणे, लायक, योग्य…
See more
(大きさ、形が)ぴったり合う, (人、もの)が入る, ~を取り付ける…
See more
uymak, tam ölçüsünde olmak, uydurmak…
See more
aller à, (faire) entrer, caser…
See more
anar a la mida, entrar, cabre…
See more
gezond, geschikt, maat…
See more
யாரோ அல்லது ஏதோவொன்றுக்கு சரியான அளவு அல்லது வடிவமாக இருக்க வேண்டும், ஏதாவது ஒன்றுக்கு ஏற்றதாக இருத்தல், எதையாவது வழங்கவும் சரியான நிலையில் வைக்கவும்…
See more
अंटना, माकूल होना, किसी चीज़ या वस्तु का सही माप या अकार होना…
See more
કોઈ વ્યક્તિ કે વસ્તુ માટે યોગ્ય માપ અથવા આકારનું હોવું, લાયક, બંધ બેસતું…
See more
i form, sund og rask, i kondi…
See more
i bra form, spänstig, frisk…
See more
sihat, sesuai, cocok…
See more
in Form, passend, der Sitz…
See more
passe, få plass, sette…
See more
فٹ آنا, کسی کے لئےیا کسی چیز کے لئے صحیح سائز یا شکل کا ہونا, مناسب ہونا…
See more
здоровий, у хорошій формі, належний…
See more
подходить, быть впору, устанавливать…
See more
తగిన/యుక్తమైన, ఎవరో ఒక వ్యక్తికైనా లేదా దేనికైనా సరైన పరిమాణం లేదా ఆకారం ఉండు, దేనికోసం అనుకూలంగా ఉండాలి…
See more
يُناسِب, يُحْكِم, يُعِدّ…
See more
উপযুক্ত হওয়া, ফিট করা, উপযুক্ত…
See more
fit, ve fromě, vhodný…
See more
sehat, cocok, pas…
See more
ที่มีสุขภาพดี, เหมาะสม, ขนาดหรือรูปร่างที่ถูกต้อง…
See more
mạnh khoẻ, sung sức, thích hợp…
See more
pasować (do), zamontować, założyć…
See more
맞다, (장소에 사람이나 사물이 들어 가기가) 맞다, 설치하다…
See more
stare (di misura), entrare, installare…
See more
Need a translator?
Get a quick, free translation!
Translator tool
Browse
fistfight
fistful
fisticuffs
fistula
fit
fit for human consumption phrase
fit for purpose phrase
fit in
fit in with something
More meanings of fit
All
fighting fit
E-FIT
keep-fit
slim-fit
hissy fit
match fit
coughing fit
See all meanings
Phrasal Verbs
fit in
fit in something/someone
fit sb/sth out
fit someone/something in
fit something up
fit someone up
fit something out
See all phrasal verb meanings
Idioms and phrases
fit like a glove idiom
fits and starts idiom
fit the bill idiom
fit to be tied idiom
have a fit idiom
see fit (to do something) idiom
see fit idiom
See all idioms and phrases
Word of the Day
response
UK
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio
/rɪˈspɒns/
US
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio
/rɪˈspɑːns/
an answer or reaction
About this
Blog
Forget doing it or forget to do it? Avoiding common mistakes with verb patterns (2)
March 06, 2024
Read More
New Words
inverse vaccine
March 11, 2024
More new words
has been added to list
To top
Contents
EnglishAmericanBusinessExamplesTranslations
© Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2024
Learn
Learn
Learn
New Words
Help
In Print
Word of the Year 2021
Word of the Year 2022
Word of the Year 2023
Develop
Develop
Develop
Dictionary API
Double-Click Lookup
Search Widgets
License Data
About
About
About
Accessibility
Cambridge English
Cambridge University Press & Assessment
Consent Management
Cookies and Privacy
Corpus
Terms of Use
© Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2024
Cambridge Dictionary +Plus
My profile
+Plus help
Log out
Dictionary
Definitions
Clear explanations of natural written and spoken English
English
Learner’s Dictionary
Essential British English
Essential American English
Translations
Click on the arrows to change the translation direction.
Bilingual Dictionaries
English–Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Simplified)–English
English–Chinese (Traditional)
Chinese (Traditional)–English
English–Dutch
Dutch–English
English–French
French–English
English–German
German–English
English–Indonesian
Indonesian–English
English–Italian
Italian–English
English–Japanese
Japanese–English
English–Norwegian
Norwegian–English
English–Polish
Polish–English
English–Portuguese
Portuguese–English
English–Spanish
Spanish–English
English–Swedish
Swedish–English
Semi-bilingual Dictionaries
English–Arabic
English–Bengali
English–Catalan
English–Czech
English–Danish
English–Gujarati
English–Hindi
English–Korean
English–Malay
English–Marathi
English–Russian
English–Tamil
English–Telugu
English–Thai
English–Turkish
English–Ukrainian
English–Urdu
English–Vietnamese
Translate
Grammar
Thesaurus
Pronunciation
Cambridge Dictionary +Plus
Shop
Cambridge Dictionary +Plus
My profile
+Plus help
Log out
Log in /
Sign up
English (UK)
Change
English (UK)
English (US)
Español
Русский
Português
Deutsch
Français
Italiano
中文 (简体)
正體中文 (繁體)
Polski
한국어
Türkçe
日本語
Tiếng Việt
Nederlands
Svenska
Dansk
Norsk
हिंदी
বাঙ্গালি
मराठी
ગુજરાતી
தமிழ்
తెలుగు
Українська
Follow us
Choose a dictionary
Recent and Recommended
Definitions
Clear explanations of natural written and spoken English
English
Learner’s Dictionary
Essential British English
Essential American English
Grammar and thesaurus
Usage explanations of natural written and spoken English
Grammar
Thesaurus
Pronunciation
British and American pronunciations with audio
English Pronunciation
Translation
Click on the arrows to change the translation direction.
Bilingual Dictionaries
English–Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Simplified)–English
English–Chinese (Traditional)
Chinese (Traditional)–English
English–Dutch
Dutch–English
English–French
French–English
English–German
German–English
English–Indonesian
Indonesian–English
English–Italian
Italian–English
English–Japanese
Japanese–English
English–Norwegian
Norwegian–English
English–Polish
Polish–English
English–Portuguese
Portuguese–English
English–Spanish
Spanish–English
English–Swedish
Swedish–English
Semi-bilingual Dictionaries
English–Arabic
English–Bengali
English–Catalan
English–Czech
English–Danish
English–Gujarati
English–Hindi
English–Korean
English–Malay
English–Marathi
English–Russian
English–Tamil
English–Telugu
English–Thai
English–Turkish
English–Ukrainian
English–Urdu
English–Vietnamese
Dictionary +Plus
Word Lists
Choose your language
English (UK)
English (US)
Español
Русский
Português
Deutsch
Français
Italiano
中文 (简体)
正體中文 (繁體)
Polski
한국어
Türkçe
日本語
Tiếng Việt
Nederlands
Svenska
Dansk
Norsk
हिंदी
বাঙ্গালি
मराठी
ગુજરાતી
தமிழ்
తెలుగు
Українська
Contents
English
Verb
fit (CORRECT SIZE)
fit like a glove
fit (BE SUITABLE)
fit (PUT IN POSITION)
fit (ILLNESS)
Adjective
fit (HEALTHY)
fit (SUITABLE)
be in no fit state to do something
fit for human consumption
fit for purpose
see/think fit
fit (ATTRACTIVE)
Noun
fit (ILLNESS)
fit (SHORT PERIOD)
fit (CORRECT SIZE)
American
Verb
fit (CORRECT SIZE)
fit (SUIT)
Adjective
fit (HEALTHY)
fit (SUIT)
Noun
fit (BRIEF PERIOD)
fit (EMOTIONAL EXPERIENCE)
fit (CORRECT SIZE)
Business
Verb
fit
fit the bill
Noun
Adjective
fit
fit for human consumption
fit for purpose
Examples
Translations
Grammar
All translations
My word lists
Add fit to one of your lists below, or create a new one.
More
Go to your word lists
Tell us about this example sentence:
The word in the example sentence does not match the entry word.
The sentence contains offensive content.
Cancel
Submit
The word in the example sentence does not match the entry word.
The sentence contains offensive content.
Cancel
Submit
FIT Academy - Portal
FIT Academy
Register (current)
Login
The Trusted IT Education
FIT Academy has always been the first to bring the best breed IT practices and technology to our clients with a portfolio that encompasses the top IT solutions globally. We are proud of 15 years of expertise in courseware development, delivery and management. No one understands the Academe landscape better than us.
android
APK
© 2021 , FIT ACADEMY - First in Technology. ( PRIVACY POLICY )
Sign in
×
Your email
Your password
Forgot your Password?
Login
Register to our Portal
×
Your email
Your password
Given Name
Middle Name(Leave Blank if no middle name)
Last Name
Mobile Number
University Code
I have read and agree to the Privacy Policy.
Register
Reset Password
×
Your email address
Reset Password
download FIT Portal.apk
Fitness: Definition, factors, and types
Health ConditionsHealth ConditionsAlzheimer's & DementiaAnxietyAsthma & AllergiesAtopic DermatitisBreast CancerCancerCardiovascular HealthCOVID-19DiabetesEnvironment & SustainabilityExercise & FitnessEye HealthHeadache & MigraineHealth EquityHIV & AIDSHuman BiologyLeukemiaLGBTQIA+Men's HealthMental HealthMultiple Sclerosis (MS)NutritionParkinson's DiseasePsoriasisPsoriatic ArthritisSexual HealthUlcerative ColitisWomen's HealthHealth ProductsHealth ProductsNutrition & FitnessVitamins & SupplementsCBDSleepMental HealthAt-Home TestingMen’s HealthWomen’s HealthDiscoverNewsLatest NewsOriginal SeriesMedical MythsHonest NutritionThrough My EyesNew Normal HealthPodcasts2023 in medicineWhy exercise is key to living a long and healthy lifeWhat do we know about the gut microbiome in IBD?My podcast changed meCan 'biological race' explain disparities in health?Why Parkinson's research is zooming in on the gutToolsGeneral HealthDrugs A-ZHealth HubsHealth ToolsFind a DoctorBMI Calculators and ChartsBlood Pressure Chart: Ranges and GuideBreast Cancer: Self-Examination GuideSleep CalculatorQuizzesRA Myths vs FactsType 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood SugarAnkylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or FictionConnectAbout Medical News TodayWho We AreOur Editorial ProcessContent IntegrityConscious LanguageNewslettersSign UpFollow UsMedical News TodayHealth ConditionsHealth ProductsDiscoverToolsConnectSubscribeWhat does being physically fit mean?Medically reviewed by Jake Tipane, CPT — By Tim Newman — Updated on May 25, 2023OverviewCardiorespiratory performanceMuscular strengthMuscular enduranceBody compositionFlexibilitySummaryMaintaining a good level of physical fitness is important. However, it can be difficult to determine what fitness entails. Various components of physical health can help determine physical fitness.Experts define physical fitness as “one’s ability to execute daily activities with optimal performance, endurance, and strength with the management of disease, fatigue, and stress and reduced sedentary behavior.”This description goes beyond being able to run quickly or lift heavy weights. Despite being important, these attributes only address single areas of fitness. This article provides details of the five main components of physical fitness.Fast facts on fitness:Maintaining good physical fitness can help prevent some conditions.With exercise, body composition can change without changing weight.Athletes’ hearts show different changes depending on their chosen sport.Muscle strength increases due to fiber hypertrophy and neural changes.Stretching to increase flexibility can ease a number of medical complaints.Was this helpful?Share on PinterestLuis Alvarez/Getty ImagesOverviewBeing physically fit depends on how well a person fulfills each of the components of being healthy.When it comes to fitness, these components are:cardiorespiratory fitnessmuscular strengthmuscular endurancebody compositionflexibilityThe following sections will look at each of these components individually.Cardiorespiratory performanceCardiorespiratory endurance indicates how well the body can supply fuel during physical activity via the body’s circulatory and respiratory systems.Activities that help improve cardiorespiratory endurance are those that cause an elevated heart rate for a sustained period of time.These activities include:swimmingbrisk walkingjoggingcyclingPeople who regularly engage in these activities are more likely to be physically fit in terms of cardiorespiratory endurance. It is important to begin these activities slowly and gradually increase the intensity over time.Exercising increases cardiorespiratory endurance in a number of ways. For example, the heart muscle becomes stronger so that it is able to pump more blood per heartbeat.At the same time, additional small arteries grow within muscle tissue so that they can deliver blood to working muscles more effectively when needed.How does heart health change with exercise?The heart’s efficiency changes and improves after persistent training. However, recent research suggests that different types of activity change the heart in subtly different ways.All types of exercise increase the heart’s overall size, but there are significant differences between endurance athletes such as rowers and strength athletes such as football players. The hearts of endurance athletes show expanded left and right ventricles, whereas those of strength athletes show thickening of the heart wall, particularly the left ventricle.How does lung health change with exercise?Although the heart steadily strengthens over time, the respiratory system does not adjust to the same degree. Lung size does not change, but the lungs do use oxygen more effectively.In general, exercise encourages the body to become more efficient at taking on, distributing, and using oxygen. Over time, this improvement increases endurance and overall health.Health benefits of cardiorespiratory fitnessCardiorespiratory fitness can help reduce the risk of conditions including:heart diseasetype 2 diabetesstrokeMuscular strengthThere are a number of ways to measure muscular strength. Generally, lifting a set weight in a prescribed position and comparing the results against any given population is the best way.In general, if a person works their muscles consistently and regularly, they will increase in strength. There are various ways of putting the muscles through rigorous activity, but anything that works a muscle until it is tired will increase muscle strength over time.How does muscle structure change with exercise?Muscles consist of elongated muscle cells. Each muscle cell contains contractile proteins, called actin and myosin, that give the muscle its strength. These fibers contract together, producing the so-called power stroke. The total force depends on the number of these units contracting in unison.To build muscle, an individual must regularly exercise their muscles and take in enough protein.Scientists do not fully understand the exact mechanism of muscle building, but the general principles are well known. Training causes the muscle cells to expand, and there is an increase in actin and myosin production.Also, in untrained muscles, fibers tend to fire in an asynchronous manner. In other words, they do not fire in unison. As a person trains them, however, they learn to fire together as one, thereby increasing maximum power output.Muscular enduranceFitness can also include muscular endurance, which is the ability of a muscle to continue exerting force without tiring. As mentioned above, strength training builds bigger muscles. Endurance training, on the other hand, does not necessarily generate muscles of a larger size.This is because the body focuses more on the cardiovascular system, ensuring that the muscles receive the oxygenated blood they need to keep functioning. Another important change in muscles that people specifically train for endurance concerns the different types of muscle tissue: fast twitch and slow twitch fibers.Fast twitch fibers contract quickly but get tired quickly. They use a lot of energy and are useful for sprints. They are whitish, as they do not require blood to function.Slow twitch fibers are best for endurance work, as they can carry out tasks without getting tired. They are present in core muscles. These fibers appear red, as they rely on a good supply of oxygenated blood and contain stores of myoglobin.Different exercises will promote fast twitch fibers, slow twitch fibers, or both. For example, a sprinter will have comparatively more fast twitch fibers, whereas a long distance runner will have more slow twitch fibers.Body compositionBody composition measures the relative amounts of muscle, bone, water, and fat an individual has.A person can potentially maintain the same weight but radically change the ratio of each of the components that make up their body.For instance, people with a high muscle (lean mass) ratio might weigh more than those with the same height and waist circumference who have less muscle.How is body composition calculated?There are several methods for calculating body composition. For example, a doctor can measure a person’s body fat using tools such as calipers or through bioelectrical impedance analysis to detect fat cells. The above methods are prone to inaccuracies, however. Please note: Medical News Today does not imply a warranty of fitness for a particular purpose or endorse any of these applications. Nobody at MNT has evaluated them for medical accuracy. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved them unless otherwise indicated.FlexibilityFlexibility refers to the range of movement across a joint. Flexibility is important because it improves the ability to link movements together smoothly and can help prevent injuries. It is specific to each joint and depends on a number of variables, including the tightness of ligaments and tendons.Various activities that stretch the joints, ligaments, and tendons can increase flexibility. There are three common types of stretches that people use to increase flexibility:Dynamic stretching: This refers to the ability to complete a full range of motion in a particular joint. People use this type of stretch in standard warmup exercises, as it helps prepare the body for physical activity.Static-active stretching: This refers to holding the body or part of the body in a stretched position and maintaining that position for a period of time. One example of static-active stretching is the splits.Ballistic stretching: People should only engage in ballistic stretching when the body is already warmed up and limber from exercise. It involves stretching in various positions and bouncing.There are a number of ways to improve flexibility. Having a daily stretching regimen can be the simplest and most efficient way of achieving whole body flexibility.SummaryIn general, fitness means different things to different people. The important message is that embarking on any regular exercise will be of benefit to a person’s health. The more exercise they do, the healthier they will look and feel. Last medically reviewed on May 4, 2021Public HealthObesity / Weight Loss / FitnessSports Medicine / FitnessHow we reviewed this article:SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.ACSM's Health-Related Physical Fitness Assessment Manual. (n.d.).https://www.acsm.org/read-research/books/acsms-health-related-physical-fitness-assessment-manualAl Hashemi, A. M. Y., et al. (2019). Methods of measuring muscle strength.https://www.researchgate.net/publication/330468280_Methods_of_measuring_muscle_strengthBaggish, A. L., et al. (2008). Training-specific changes in cardiac structure and function: A prospective and longitudinal assessment of competitive athletes [Abstract].https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18096751/Campbell, N., et al. (2013). Physical fitness.https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007%2F978-1-4419-1005-9_1167Dave, H. D., et al. (2020). Anatomy, skeletal muscle.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537236/Endurance exercise (aerobic). (2018).https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/fitness/fitness-basics/endurance-exercise-aerobic#.WW9j__-GPL9Flexibility. (n.d.).https://health.ucdavis.edu/sportsmedicine/resources/flexibility_descriprion.htmlKuriyan, R. (2018). Body composition techniques.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6366261/Nystoriak, M. A., et al. (2018). Cardiovascular effects and benefits of exercise.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6172294/Page, P. (2012). Current concepts in muscle stretching for exercise and rehabilitation.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3273886/Reggiani, C., et al. (2020). Muscle hypertrophy and muscle strength: Dependent or independent variables? A provocative review.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7582410/Talbot, J., et al. (2016). Skeletal muscle fiber type: Using insights from muscle developmental biology to dissect targets for susceptibility and resistance to muscle disease.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5180455/Your lungs and exercise [Fact sheet]. (2016).https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4818249/Share this articleMedically reviewed by Jake Tipane, CPT — By Tim Newman — Updated on May 25, 2023Latest newsPVC, other microplastics found in clogged arteriesA natural compound derived from broccoli may help prevent and treat strokeA 'DNA diet' may help reduce type 2 diabetes risk, new study arguesCould an intervention as simple as eye drops treat eye damage in diabetes?How and why does gut health influence heart health?Related CoverageWhat to know about cardiorespiratory enduranceMedically reviewed by Gerhard Whitworth, RNCardiorespiratory endurance provides an indication of a person's physical fitness and measures how well the heart, lungs, and muscles perform during…READ MOREWhat is calisthenics?Medically reviewed by Daniel Bubnis, M.S., NASM-CPT, NASE Level II-CSSCalisthenics is a form of workout that utilizes the person's body weight. Learn more about these exercises and how to do them here.READ MOREWhat are the mental and physical health benefits of exercise?Medically reviewed by Jake Tipane, CPTEven a small amount of exercise can have both curative and preventive health benefits. This article looks at the benefits of exercise for both the…READ MOREWhat is isokinetic exercise?Isokinetic exercise involves performing movements at a constant speed with varying resistance. It can help people recovery from injury or illness…READ MOREHow does physical therapy help?Medically reviewed by Lauren Jarmusz, PT, DPT, OCSPhysical therapy aims to help people maintain, recover, or improve their physical ability. Learn more.READ MOREAbout UsContact UsTerms of UsePrivacy PolicyPrivacy SettingsAdvertising PolicyHealth TopicsHealth HubsMedical AffairsContent IntegrityNewsletters© 2024 Healthline Media UK Ltd, Brighton, UK. All rights reserved. MNT is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media. Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. See additional information.© 2024 Healthline Media UK Ltd, Brighton, UK. All rights reserved. MNT is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media. Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. See additional information.AboutCareersAdvertise with usOUR BRANDSHealthlineMedical News TodayGreatistPsych CentralBezzy
FIT | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary
Dictionary
Translate
Grammar
Thesaurus
+Plus
Cambridge Dictionary +Plus
Shop
Cambridge Dictionary +Plus
My profile
+Plus help
Log out
Cambridge Dictionary +Plus
My profile
+Plus help
Log out
Log in
/
Sign up
English (US)
Search
Search
English
Meaning of fit in English
fitverb us
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio
/fɪt/ uk
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio
/fɪt/ -tt-
fit verb
(CORRECT SIZE)
Add to word list
Add to word list
B1 [ I or T ] to be the right size or shape for someone or something: That jacket fits you perfectly.fit through Our new couch doesn't fit through the door.fit into I don't think another desk will fit into this classroom.fit in My car's too big to fit in this space.
fit like a glove
to fit very well: The dress fits like a glove. The specially-made panels fit like a glove over the front side of the fuel tank.
More examplesFewer examplesThose trousers fit you nicely.This tiny device fits into the palm of your hand.Their new car barely fitted into the garage.If you can't fit all the cases in your car, I can take a few in mine.One size fits all.
SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases
Style & appearance of clothes
aesthetic
alterable
anti-fur
Aran
backless
floor-length
flouncy
foppishly
form-fitting
French tuck
raglan
ready-to-wear
reversible
ribbed
ribby
V-necked
vintage
voluminous
voluminously
voop neck
See more results »
fit verb
(BE SUITABLE)
C1 [ T ] to be suitable for something: With her qualifications, she should fit the job perfectly. Let the punishment fit the crime. I'm sure we'll have something to fit your requirements.
More examplesFewer examplesHe doesn't fit my image of how an actor should look.He doesn't conform fit the national stereotype of a Frenchman.We had to adapt our plans to fit Jack's schedule.The soundtrack really fits the era in which the film is set.I don't have anything that really fits the occasion.
SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases
Being suitable or unsuitable
age-barred
answer
appropriately
be made for someone/something idiom
become
befit
compatibly
dress/look/act the part idiom
extravagantly
face
fill/fit the bill idiom
level
misdirection
order
out of order idiom
someone's face doesn't fit idiom
suit
suit someone (right) down to the ground idiom
topic
unsympathetically
See more results »
fit verb
(PUT IN POSITION)
B2 [ T ] to provide something and put it in the correct position: She's been fitted with an artificial leg.
More examplesFewer examplesWe're having a new bathroom suite fitted this weekend.He was recently fitted with a brace for his bad back.Do you know anyone who can fit windows?He was messing with his bike and then he couldn't fit the parts back together.My car is having new tyres fitted.
SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases
Placing and positioning an object
-based
appose
around
change something around
circle
consign
gone
install
plant
put something up
re-engage
re-rig
realignment
redeposit
stackable
steerable
stick
string something out
stuck
superimpose
See more results »
fit verb
(ILLNESS)
[ I ] UK to have a fit (= sudden attack of uncontrolled movements)
SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases
Disorders of muscles & the nervous system
acoustic neuroma
ageusia
akinetic-rigid HD
ALS
Alzheimer's
comatose
crick
dyspraxia
dystonia
EA
fibromyalgia
GBS
leprosy
neuralgia
post-encephalitic
progressive supranuclear palsy
prosopagnosia
quadriplegia
retrograde
shin splints
See more results »
Grammar
Fit or suit?If something fits you or fits into a place, it is the right size or shape for you or for that place: …
Idioms
fit the bill
fit to burst
fit to drop
if the shoe fits (wear it)Phrasal verbs
fit in
fit someone/something in
fit in with something
fit something out
fit something up
fit someone up
fitadjective us
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio
/fɪt/ uk
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio
/fɪt/ fitter | fittest
fit adjective
(HEALTHY)
A2 healthy and strong, especially as a result of exercise: keep fit I jog to keep fit. You need to be very fit to hike the Inca Trail. Opposite
unfit
More examplesFewer examplesHe's jogging round the park every morning in an effort to get fit for the football season.At 73, she's still fighting fit, walking five miles a day.Her hearing is going, but otherwise she's remarkably fit for a 95-year-old."What do you do to keep fit?" "I jog and go swimming."Most exercise classes start gently, lulling you into thinking that you're fit.
SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases
Animal physiology: fit & healthy
acrobatically
agility
agree with something
amazonian
athleticism
hale and hearty
in the pink idiom
limber
lithe
lithely
match fit
match fitness
muscled
muscular
non-disabled
robust
rude
sporty
the able-bodied
virility
See more results »
fit adjective
(SUITABLE)
C1 suitable for a particular purpose or activity: fit for She's not fit for the level of responsibility she's been given. Opposite
unfit
be in no fit state to do something
to not be able to do something because you are upset, ill, drunk, etc.: He's very upset and is in no fit state to drive.
See more fit for human consumption
safe for people to eat: The oils need to be processed before they are fit for human consumption.
See more fit for purpose
UK Something that is fit for purpose does what it is meant to do: The theater is crumbling and is no longer fit for purpose.
See more see/think fit
C1 to consider an action or decision to be correct for the situation: Just do whatever you think fit - I'm sure you'll make the right decision.
See more
SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases
Suitable and acceptable
able
acceptability
acceptable
acceptably
accepted
convenience
conveniently
correctly
correctness
decent
decently
felicity
legitimate
practical
re-eligibility
re-eligible
relevance
relevant
relevantly
ticket
See more results »
fit adjective
(ATTRACTIVE)
UK slang sexually attractive: I met this really fit bloke in a club last night.
Idioms
be (as) fit as a fiddle
fit to be tied
fitnoun us
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio
/fɪt/ uk
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio
/fɪt/
fit noun
(ILLNESS)
[ C ] a sudden attack of illness when someone cannot control their movements and becomes unconscious: an epileptic fithave a fit He had a fit at work and collapsed.
SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases
Disorders of muscles & the nervous system
acoustic neuroma
ageusia
akinetic-rigid HD
ALS
Alzheimer's
comatose
crick
dyspraxia
dystonia
EA
fibromyalgia
GBS
leprosy
neuralgia
post-encephalitic
progressive supranuclear palsy
prosopagnosia
quadriplegia
retrograde
shin splints
See more results »
fit noun
(SHORT PERIOD)
[ C ] a sudden, uncontrolled period of doing something or feeling something: a coughing/sneezing fitin a fit of She hit him in a fit of anger.
SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases
Disease & illness - general words
advanced
aggressiveness
autoimmune disease
bilharzia
bluetongue
complication
gestational
hyperendemic
hypochondriac
iatrogenic
ill health
industrial disease
life-threatening
morbid
second degree
secretory
serial interval
subvariant
systemically
untreated
See more results »
You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Short in time
fit noun
(CORRECT SIZE)
[ S ] the way that something fits: These shoes are a perfect fit. The pants were a good fit but the jacket was too small.fit of Check the fit of the pieces before gluing them in place.
SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases
Style & appearance of clothes
aesthetic
alterable
anti-fur
Aran
backless
floor-length
flouncy
foppishly
form-fitting
French tuck
raglan
ready-to-wear
reversible
ribbed
ribby
V-necked
vintage
voluminous
voluminously
voop neck
See more results »
Idioms
have/throw a fit
in fits of laughter
in/by fits and starts
(Definition of fit from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)
fit | Intermediate English
fitverb us
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio
/fɪt/ present participle fitting | past tense and past participle fitted or fit
fit verb
(CORRECT SIZE)
Add to word list
Add to word list
[ I/T ] to be the right size or shape for someone or something: [ T ] The jacket fits you perfectly. [ I ] The refrigerator won’t fit in our kitchen.
fit verb
(SUIT)
[ T ] to be suitable for someone or something: The job fits him well.
Idioms
fit like a glove
fit the bill
fit to be tiedPhrasal verbs
fit in
fit in something/someone
fitadjective [ -er/-est only ] us
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio
/fɪt/ -tt-
fit adjective [-er/-est only]
(HEALTHY)
in good health, esp. as a result of exercise; strong: You look fit.
fit adjective [-er/-est only]
(SUIT)
suitable for someone or something: She’s not fit to be treasurer.
fitnoun us
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio
/fɪt/
fit noun
(BRIEF PERIOD)
[ C ] a sudden, brief period when something happens that is beyond your control: a coughing/sneezing fit Epilepsy can cause severe fits (= sudden muscle movements that you cannot control).
fit noun
(EMOTIONAL EXPERIENCE)
[ C ] an experience of a strong emotion or reaction: a fit of laughter/jealousy
[ C ] A fit can be a feeling or expression of great anger: Your mother will have/throw a fit when she sees this mess.
fit noun
(CORRECT SIZE)
[ U ] the right size or shape for someone or something: These shoes are a perfect/terrible fit.
Idioms
fits and starts
have a fit
(Definition of fit from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)
fit | Business English
fitverb uk
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio
/fɪt/ us
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio
fitting | fitted | US usually fit
Add to word list
Add to word list
[ I or T ] to be the right size or shape for someone or something: Their trained staff can take one look at your figure and tell you which brand of jeans is most likely to fit you.fit in/into The device is small enough to fit into a shirt pocket.
[ T ] to add a piece of equipment to something else: Some insurance firms offer lower premiums to people who fit security locks and alarms.fit sth on/onto/to sth You can claim money for having solar cells fitted on your home.fit sth with sth The vehicle may be fitted with a satellite tracking system.
[ T ] to be suitable for someone or something: You adjust your strategy to fit the business realities. Her new role fits her well. What alternatives fit the needs of the corporation and provide the best solution?
[ I + adv/prep ] if two or more things fit, or if one thing fits with another, they suit each other well: fit together The organization and the people must fit together.fit with sth We select individuals who are most likely to fit with the firm's culture.
[ T ] mainly UK to make someone or something suitable for something: fit sb/sth for sth How do you think your career to date has fitted you for this particular job?fit sb/sth to do sth Academic qualifications alone do not fit a person to become a good manager.
fit the bill
to be suitable for a particular purpose: Some travel policies don't fit the bill, because they limit the amount of time you can spend abroad.
Phrasal verbs
fit in
fit sb/sth out
fitnoun [ S ] uk
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio
/fɪt/ us
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio
the way in which two or more things suit each other or work together: The two banks are a perfect fit.a fit with sth This role is a great fit with my experience in Asia.a fit between sth and sth There must be a fit between the environment and the organization.a fit for sth A financial product must be a good fit for the client's particular needs and aspirations.
the way that something such as a piece of clothing fits: Testers loved the comfortable fit of the armholes. See also
strategic fit
fitadjective uk
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio
/fɪt/ us
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio
suitable for a particular purpose or activity: be fit for sth The Seller gives no undertaking that the goods are fit for any particular purpose.
fit for human consumption
of a good enough quality to be eaten by people: Companies and consumers bought the poultry, believing it fit for human consumption.
fit for purpose
if something is fit for purpose, it does what it is intended to do: I have spent a lot of my time making this organization fit for purpose.
(Definition of fit from the Cambridge Business English Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)
Examples of fit
fit
See, children grow up thinking the adult world is ordered, rational, fit for purpose.
From NPR
The following graphs show that startups that scale after product market fit raise 3.2x more money, and have 1.5x more user growth.
From VentureBeat
Oh, and good luck fitting everyone's luggage in the trunk.
From Huffington Post
Moving the work into a gallery setting allows me to present work that does not always fit into a club setting.
From Huffington Post
You just have to find the shoe that fits.
From Huffington Post
Instead, the one best fitted to carry them out should have the responsibility.
From New York Post
Everybody can tell when something doesn't fit properly.
From CBS News
How does a veteran fit in with his new teammates?
From cleveland.com
Those who couldn't fit slept in hallways and on the streets.
From NPR
The person who doesn't fit into the institution of marriage has psychological or moral flaws.
From New York Post
In between are quietly thoughtful observations of the natural world and how people fit into it.
From OregonLive.com
But now, the hotel that will go next to the 1930s-era movie theater he owns just doesn't fit in, he said.
From Minneapolis Star Tribune
How does the tournament make sure the winner is presented with a green jacket that fits?
From USA TODAY
If you're like a lot of us, you tell yourself things like this every day but still struggle to make it all fit.
From Huffington Post
It's easy to mess around with the nose pads to get the right fit.
From TechCrunch
These examples are from corpora and from sources on the web. Any opinions in the examples do not represent the opinion of the Cambridge Dictionary editors or of Cambridge University Press or its licensors.
What is the pronunciation of fit?
B1,C1,B2,A2,C1,C1
Translations of fit
in Chinese (Traditional)
尺寸正確, 合適,合身, 可容納…
See more
in Chinese (Simplified)
尺寸正确, 合适,合身, 可容纳…
See more
in Spanish
quedar bien, colocar, en forma…
See more
in Portuguese
servir, instalar, em forma…
See more
in more languages
in Marathi
in Japanese
in Turkish
in French
in Catalan
in Dutch
in Tamil
in Hindi
in Gujarati
in Danish
in Swedish
in Malay
in German
in Norwegian
in Urdu
in Ukrainian
in Russian
in Telugu
in Arabic
in Bengali
in Czech
in Indonesian
in Thai
in Vietnamese
in Polish
in Korean
in Italian
एखाद्यासाठी किंवा एखाद्या गोष्टीसाठी योग्य आकार असणे, लायक, योग्य…
See more
(大きさ、形が)ぴったり合う, (人、もの)が入る, ~を取り付ける…
See more
uymak, tam ölçüsünde olmak, uydurmak…
See more
aller à, (faire) entrer, caser…
See more
anar a la mida, entrar, cabre…
See more
gezond, geschikt, maat…
See more
யாரோ அல்லது ஏதோவொன்றுக்கு சரியான அளவு அல்லது வடிவமாக இருக்க வேண்டும், ஏதாவது ஒன்றுக்கு ஏற்றதாக இருத்தல், எதையாவது வழங்கவும் சரியான நிலையில் வைக்கவும்…
See more
अंटना, माकूल होना, किसी चीज़ या वस्तु का सही माप या अकार होना…
See more
કોઈ વ્યક્તિ કે વસ્તુ માટે યોગ્ય માપ અથવા આકારનું હોવું, લાયક, બંધ બેસતું…
See more
i form, sund og rask, i kondi…
See more
i bra form, spänstig, frisk…
See more
sihat, sesuai, cocok…
See more
in Form, passend, der Sitz…
See more
passe, få plass, sette…
See more
فٹ آنا, کسی کے لئےیا کسی چیز کے لئے صحیح سائز یا شکل کا ہونا, مناسب ہونا…
See more
здоровий, у хорошій формі, належний…
See more
подходить, быть впору, устанавливать…
See more
తగిన/యుక్తమైన, ఎవరో ఒక వ్యక్తికైనా లేదా దేనికైనా సరైన పరిమాణం లేదా ఆకారం ఉండు, దేనికోసం అనుకూలంగా ఉండాలి…
See more
يُناسِب, يُحْكِم, يُعِدّ…
See more
উপযুক্ত হওয়া, ফিট করা, উপযুক্ত…
See more
fit, ve fromě, vhodný…
See more
sehat, cocok, pas…
See more
ที่มีสุขภาพดี, เหมาะสม, ขนาดหรือรูปร่างที่ถูกต้อง…
See more
mạnh khoẻ, sung sức, thích hợp…
See more
pasować (do), zamontować, założyć…
See more
맞다, (장소에 사람이나 사물이 들어 가기가) 맞다, 설치하다…
See more
stare (di misura), entrare, installare…
See more
Need a translator?
Get a quick, free translation!
Translator tool
Browse
fistfight
fistful
fisticuffs
fistula
fit
fit for human consumption phrase
fit for purpose phrase
fit in
fit in with something
More meanings of fit
All
fighting fit
E-FIT
keep-fit
slim-fit
hissy fit
match fit
coughing fit
See all meanings
Phrasal Verbs
fit in
fit in something/someone
fit sb/sth out
fit someone/something in
fit something up
fit someone up
fit something out
See all phrasal verb meanings
Idioms and phrases
fit like a glove idiom
fits and starts idiom
fit the bill idiom
fit to be tied idiom
have a fit idiom
see fit (to do something) idiom
see fit idiom
See all idioms and phrases
Word of the Day
response
UK
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio
/rɪˈspɒns/
US
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio
/rɪˈspɑːns/
an answer or reaction
About this
Blog
Forget doing it or forget to do it? Avoiding common mistakes with verb patterns (2)
March 06, 2024
Read More
New Words
inverse vaccine
March 11, 2024
More new words
has been added to list
To top
Contents
EnglishIntermediateBusinessExamplesTranslations
© Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2024
Learn
Learn
Learn
New Words
Help
In Print
Word of the Year 2021
Word of the Year 2022
Word of the Year 2023
Develop
Develop
Develop
Dictionary API
Double-Click Lookup
Search Widgets
License Data
About
About
About
Accessibility
Cambridge English
Cambridge University Press & Assessment
Consent Management
Cookies and Privacy
Corpus
Terms of Use
© Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2024
Cambridge Dictionary +Plus
My profile
+Plus help
Log out
Dictionary
Definitions
Clear explanations of natural written and spoken English
English
Learner’s Dictionary
Essential British English
Essential American English
Translations
Click on the arrows to change the translation direction.
Bilingual Dictionaries
English–Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Simplified)–English
English–Chinese (Traditional)
Chinese (Traditional)–English
English–Dutch
Dutch–English
English–French
French–English
English–German
German–English
English–Indonesian
Indonesian–English
English–Italian
Italian–English
English–Japanese
Japanese–English
English–Norwegian
Norwegian–English
English–Polish
Polish–English
English–Portuguese
Portuguese–English
English–Spanish
Spanish–English
English–Swedish
Swedish–English
Semi-bilingual Dictionaries
English–Arabic
English–Bengali
English–Catalan
English–Czech
English–Danish
English–Gujarati
English–Hindi
English–Korean
English–Malay
English–Marathi
English–Russian
English–Tamil
English–Telugu
English–Thai
English–Turkish
English–Ukrainian
English–Urdu
English–Vietnamese
Translate
Grammar
Thesaurus
Pronunciation
Cambridge Dictionary +Plus
Shop
Cambridge Dictionary +Plus
My profile
+Plus help
Log out
Log in /
Sign up
English (US)
Change
English (UK)
English (US)
Español
Русский
Português
Deutsch
Français
Italiano
中文 (简体)
正體中文 (繁體)
Polski
한국어
Türkçe
日本語
Tiếng Việt
Nederlands
Svenska
Dansk
Norsk
हिंदी
বাঙ্গালি
मराठी
ગુજરાતી
தமிழ்
తెలుగు
Українська
Follow us
Choose a dictionary
Recent and Recommended
Definitions
Clear explanations of natural written and spoken English
English
Learner’s Dictionary
Essential British English
Essential American English
Grammar and thesaurus
Usage explanations of natural written and spoken English
Grammar
Thesaurus
Pronunciation
British and American pronunciations with audio
English Pronunciation
Translation
Click on the arrows to change the translation direction.
Bilingual Dictionaries
English–Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Simplified)–English
English–Chinese (Traditional)
Chinese (Traditional)–English
English–Dutch
Dutch–English
English–French
French–English
English–German
German–English
English–Indonesian
Indonesian–English
English–Italian
Italian–English
English–Japanese
Japanese–English
English–Norwegian
Norwegian–English
English–Polish
Polish–English
English–Portuguese
Portuguese–English
English–Spanish
Spanish–English
English–Swedish
Swedish–English
Semi-bilingual Dictionaries
English–Arabic
English–Bengali
English–Catalan
English–Czech
English–Danish
English–Gujarati
English–Hindi
English–Korean
English–Malay
English–Marathi
English–Russian
English–Tamil
English–Telugu
English–Thai
English–Turkish
English–Ukrainian
English–Urdu
English–Vietnamese
Dictionary +Plus
Word Lists
Choose your language
English (US)
English (UK)
Español
Русский
Português
Deutsch
Français
Italiano
中文 (简体)
正體中文 (繁體)
Polski
한국어
Türkçe
日本語
Tiếng Việt
Nederlands
Svenska
Dansk
Norsk
हिंदी
বাঙ্গালি
मराठी
ગુજરાતી
தமிழ்
తెలుగు
Українська
Contents
English
Verb
fit (CORRECT SIZE)
fit like a glove
fit (BE SUITABLE)
fit (PUT IN POSITION)
fit (ILLNESS)
Adjective
fit (HEALTHY)
fit (SUITABLE)
be in no fit state to do something
fit for human consumption
fit for purpose
see/think fit
fit (ATTRACTIVE)
Noun
fit (ILLNESS)
fit (SHORT PERIOD)
fit (CORRECT SIZE)
Intermediate
Verb
fit (CORRECT SIZE)
fit (SUIT)
Adjective
fit (HEALTHY)
fit (SUIT)
Noun
fit (BRIEF PERIOD)
fit (EMOTIONAL EXPERIENCE)
fit (CORRECT SIZE)
Business
Verb
fit
fit the bill
Noun
Adjective
fit
fit for human consumption
fit for purpose
Examples
Translations
Grammar
All translations
My word lists
Add fit to one of your lists below, or create a new one.
More
Go to your word lists
Tell us about this example sentence:
The word in the example sentence does not match the entry word.
The sentence contains offensive content.
Cancel
Submit
The word in the example sentence does not match the entry word.
The sentence contains offensive content.
Cancel
Submit
How fit are you? See how you measure up - Mayo Clinic
This content does not have an English version.
This content does not have an Arabic version.
Skip to contentCare at
Mayo Clinic Patient-Centered Care About Mayo Clinic Request Appointment Find a Doctor Locations Clinical Trials Connect to Support Groups Patient & Visitor Guide Insurance & Billing Departments & Centers International Services Contact UsPatient & Visitor Guide Health
Library Diseases & Conditions Symptoms Tests & Procedures Drugs & Supplements Healthy Lifestyle Books & SubscriptionsDiseases & Conditions For Medical
Professionals Medical Professional Resources Refer a Patient Continuing Medical Education AskMayoExpert Mayo Clinic Laboratories Video Center Journals & Publications Mayo Clinic Alumni AssociationContinuing Medical Education Research & Education
at Mayo ClinicResearch Research at Mayo Clinic Research Faculty Laboratories Core Facilities Centers & Programs Departments & Divisions Clinical Trials Institutional Review Board Postdoctoral Fellowships Training Grant ProgramsEducation Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional DevelopmentMayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science Giving to
Mayo Clinic Give Now Giving to Mayo Clinic Frequently Asked Questions Contact Us to GiveMake a Donation Request appointment Log inSearchMenu Request appointment Donate Diseases & conditions Find a doctorCare at Mayo Clinic Patient-Centered Care About Mayo Clinic Request Appointment Find a Doctor Locations Clinical Trials Connect to Support Groups Patient & Visitor Guide Insurance & Billing Departments & Centers International Services Contact UsPatient & Visitor Guide Health Library Diseases & Conditions Symptoms Tests & Procedures Drugs & Supplements Healthy Lifestyle Books & SubscriptionsDiseases & Conditions For Medical Professionals Medical Professional Resources Refer a Patient Continuing Medical Education AskMayoExpert Mayo Clinic Laboratories Video Center Journals & Publications Mayo Clinic Alumni AssociationContinuing Medical Education Research & Education at Mayo ClinicResearch Research at Mayo Clinic Research Faculty Laboratories Core Facilities Centers & Programs Departments & Divisions Clinical Trials Institutional Review Board Postdoctoral Fellowships Training Grant ProgramsEducation Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional DevelopmentMayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science Giving to Mayo Clinic Give Now Giving to Mayo Clinic Frequently Asked Questions Contact Us to GiveMake a Donation
Appointments at Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic Health System locations.
Request Appointment
Healthy LifestyleFitness
Sections
BasicsFitness basicsStretching and flexibilityAerobic exerciseStrength trainingSports nutritionIn-DepthExpert AnswersMultimediaResourcesNews From Mayo ClinicWhat's New
Products and services
How fit are you? See how you measure upReady to start a fitness program? Measure your fitness level with a few simple tests. Then use the results to set fitness goals and track your progress.By Mayo Clinic Staff
You might have some idea of how fit you are. But knowing for sure can help you set good fitness goals, see your progress and stay motivated. Once you know your starting point, you can plan where you want to go. Get started with the simple tests below.
Gather your tools
Most often, measures of fitness involve these key areas:
Aerobic fitness, which involves how well the heart uses oxygen.
Muscle strength and endurance, which involve how hard and long muscles can work.
Flexibility, which is how able joints are to move through their full range of motion.
Body composition, which involves how much fat, bone and muscle are in the body.
To do your assessment, you need:
A stopwatch or a watch that can measure seconds.
A cloth measuring tape.
A scale.
Someone to help you record your scores and count how many times you repeat something.
You'll also need a pencil or pen and paper to record your scores as you finish each part of the test. You can record your scores in a notebook or journal. Or you can save them in a spreadsheet or another electronic format.
Aerobic fitness: Heart rate at rest
Enlarge image
Checking pulse over the carotid artery
Close
Checking pulse over the carotid artery
Checking pulse over the carotid artery
To check your pulse over your carotid artery, place your index and third fingers on your neck to the side of your windpipe. When you feel your pulse, look at your watch and count the number of beats in 15 seconds. Multiply this number by four to get your heart rate per minute.
Your heart rate at rest is a measure of heart health and fitness. For most adults, a healthy heart rate is between 60 to 100 beats per minute.
To check your pulse at the blood vessel in the neck called the carotid artery, place your index and third fingers on your neck to the side of your windpipe.
To check your pulse at your wrist, place two fingers between the bone and the tendon over the blood vessel found on the thumb side of the wrist, called the radial artery.
Take your pulse for 15 seconds. Multiply this number by four to find out your beats per minute. Let's say you count 20 beats in 15 seconds. Multiply 20 by four for a total of 80 beats per minute.
Aerobic fitness: Target heart rate zone
The target heart rate zone is a heart rate range that gives your heart and lungs a good workout. This zone ranges from 50% to 85% of the maximum heart rate (MHR) for your age. Aim for 50% to 70% of MHR when you do moderately intense activities and 70% to 85% of MHR when you do vigorous activities.
You can use the target heart rate zone as a guide to see how hard you're exercising. It's okay if you don't reach your target zone. Any activity is good for your health. If you're on the lower end of your target heart rate zone, you can try to increase your effort little by little to get more from your workout.
If you exercise regularly, you can stop briefly to check your heart rate at times during an aerobic workout. If you don't exercise regularly, you can do a simple test by checking your heart rate after a brisk 10-minute walk.
Target heart rate zone
Age
Target heart rate zone: Beats per minute
Maximum heart rate: Beats per minute
25
100-170
200
35
93-157
185
45
88-149
175
55
83-140
165
65
78-132
155
Aerobic fitness: Running or jogging test
Another way to test your aerobic fitness is to time yourself on a 1.5-mile (2.4-kilometer) run or jog. The following times show a good fitness level based on age and sex. A lower time most often means better aerobic fitness. A higher time suggests a need to do better.
Good fitness results based on timing of 1.5-mile run
Age
Women: Time in minutes
Men: Time in minutes
25
13
11
35
13.5
11.5
45
14
12
55
16
13
65
17.5
14
Muscular strength and endurance: Pushup test
Enlarge image
Measuring muscular fitness
Close
Measuring muscular fitness
Measuring muscular fitness
Pushups can help you measure how strong your muscles are.
Pushups can help you measure muscular strength and endurance. If you're starting a fitness program, you can do pushups on your knees. If you can, do classic pushups. Follow these steps for both types:
Lie facedown on the floor with your elbows bent and your palms next to your shoulders.
Keep your back straight. Push up with your arms until your arms are at full length.
Lower your body until your chin touches the floor.
Do as many pushups as you can until you need to rest.
The following counts show a good fitness level based on age and sex. If your pushup count is below the target number, use the target as a goal to work toward. Counts above the targets mean better fitness.
Good fitness results for pushup counts
Age
Women: Number of pushups
Men: Number of pushups
25
20
28
35
19
21
45
14
16
55
10
12
65
10
10
Body composition: Waist circumference
If the size of your waist, called the circumference, is greater than your hips, you carry more weight above the hips. This means you have a higher risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
The risk is even greater for women with waist sizes of 35 inches (89 centimeters) or more. For men, the risk is higher with waist sizes of 40 inches (102 centimeters) or more.
With a cloth measuring tape, measure your waist just above the hipbones.
Body composition: Body mass index
BMI calculator
Your body mass index (BMI) shows whether you have a healthy amount of body fat. You can find your BMI with a BMI table or online calculator.
To do the math yourself, divide your weight in pounds by your height in inches squared. Then multiply by 703. Or divide your weight in kilograms by your height in meters squared. To get your height in meters, divide your height in centimeters by 100.
The following shows what your BMI results mean.
Interpretation of BMI results
BMI
Weight status
Below 18.5
Underweight
18.5-24.9
Normal weight
25.0-29.9
Overweight
30 and above
Obesity
Stay active
The results of these fitness tests can help you set goals for staying active and getting more fit. For most healthy adults, the Department of Health and Human Services recommends these exercise guidelines:
Aerobic activity. Get at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity. Or get at least 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity a week. You can also get an equal mix of the two types. Aim to exercise most days of the week.
Strength training. Do strength training exercises for all major muscle groups at least two times a week. One set of each exercise is enough for health and fitness benefits. Use a weight or resistance level heavy enough to tire your muscles after about 12 to 15 repetitions.
Moderate aerobic activity includes:
Walking at a good pace.
Water aerobics.
Bicycling slower than 10 miles an hour on mostly level ground.
Pushing a lawn mower, gardening or doing home repair.
Vigorous aerobic activity includes:
Running.
Swimming laps.
Fast bicycling or biking hills.
Jumping rope.
Playing singles tennis.
Muscle-strengthening exercises include:
Lifting weights or using resistance bands.
Calisthenics that use body weight for resistance.
Heavy gardening or yardwork.
Keep track of your progress
Keep track of your progress in building fitness. Take the same measurements about six weeks after you begin an exercise program. Then take them once in a while.
Each time you repeat your tests, take pride in your progress. Then increase your fitness goals. Share your results with your healthcare professional or personal trainer for more guidance.
There is a problem with
information submitted for this request. Review/update the
information highlighted below and resubmit the form.
From Mayo Clinic to your inbox
Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview.
ErrorEmail field is required
ErrorInclude a valid email address
Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data.
To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which
information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with
other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could
include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected
health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health
information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of
privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on
the unsubscribe link in the e-mail.
Subscribe!
Thank you for subscribing!
You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox.
Sorry something went wrong with your subscription
Please, try again in a couple of minutes
Retry
ShareTweet
Jan. 18, 2024
Show references
Target heart rates chart. American Heart Association. https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/fitness/fitness-basics/target-heart-rates. Accessed Aug. 3, 2023.
Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. 2nd ed. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://health.gov/our-work/physical-activity/current-guidelines. Accessed Aug. 3, 2023.
AskMayoExpert. Physical activity (adult). Mayo Clinic; 2022.
Assessing your weight and health risk. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/lose_wt/risk.htm. Accessed Aug. 3, 2023.
About adult BMI. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/assessing/bmi/adult_bmi/index.html. Accessed Aug. 8, 2023.
Feito Y, et al., eds. ACSM's Fitness Assessment Manual. 6th ed. Wolters Kluwer Health Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2022. Accessed Aug. 8, 2023.
Physical Fitness Assessments and Norms for Adults and Law Enforcement. The Cooper Institute; 2013.
See more In-depth
Products and ServicesAvailable Health Products from Mayo Clinic StoreAvailable Solutions under FSA/HSA Coverage from Mayo Clinic StoreA Book: Live Younger LongerA Book: The Mayo Clinic Diet BundleMayo Clinic Sports MedicineThe Mayo Clinic Diet OnlineA Book: Mayo Clinic on High Blood PressureA Book: Mayo Clinic Book of Home RemediesA Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 5th EditionNewsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter — Digital Edition
See alsoSlide show: 5 smart exercise choices for psoriatic arthritisBalance exercisesBlood DopingCan I exercise if I have atopic dermatitis?Core exercisesExercise benefitsExercise and chronic diseaseExercise and illnessStress reliefExercising with arthritisFitness ball exercises videosFitness programFitness training routineHate to exercise? Try these tipsHeart rateHockey FlywheelMarathon and the HeatBMI and waist circumference calculatorMayo Clinic Minute: How to hit your target heart rateStaying active with Crohn's diseaseStrength training: How-to video collectionShow more related content
Advertisement
Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission.
Advertising & Sponsorship
Policy
Opportunities
Ad Choices
Mayo Clinic Press
Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press.
Mayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic on IncontinenceThe Essential Diabetes Book - Mayo Clinic PressThe Essential Diabetes BookMayo Clinic on Hearing and Balance - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic on Hearing and BalanceFREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic PressFREE Mayo Clinic Diet AssessmentMayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book
.
ART-20046433
Healthy Lifestyle
Fitness
In-Depth
How fit are you See how you measure up
Your gift holds great power – donate today! DonateMake your tax-deductible gift and be a part of the cutting-edge research and care that's changing medicine.
Donate
Find a doctor Explore careers Sign up for free e-newslettersAbout Mayo Clinic About this Site Contact Us Locations Health Information Policy Media Requests News Network Price TransparencyMedical Professionals AskMayoExpert Clinical Trials Mayo Clinic Alumni Association Refer a PatientBusinesses Executive Health Program International Business Collaborations Facilities & Real Estate Supplier InformationMedical Professionals AskMayoExpert Clinical Trials Mayo Clinic Alumni Association Refer a PatientBusinesses Executive Health Program International Business Collaborations Facilities & Real Estate Supplier InformationStudents Admissions Requirements Degree Programs Student & Faculty PortalStudents Degree Programs Admissions Requirements Student & Faculty PortalResearchers Research Faculty LaboratoriesInternational Patients Appointments Financial Services International Locations & OfficesCharitable Care & Financial Assistance Community Health Needs Assessment Financial Assistance Documents – Arizona Financial Assistance Documents – Florida Financial Assistance Documents – MinnesotaFollow Mayo Clinic X Youtube Facebook Linkedin InstagramGet the Mayo Clinic app
Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy Notice of Privacy Practices Notice of Nondiscrimination Accessibility Statement Advertising & Sponsorship Policy Site Map Manage Cookies Terms and Conditions Privacy Policy Notice of Privacy Practices Notice of Nondiscrimination Accessibility Statement Advertising and Sponsorship Policy Site Map Manage CookiesLanguage:English English Español العربية 简体中文© 1998-2024 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved.
Language:English English Español العربية 简体中文
FIT | meaning - Cambridge Learner's Dictionary
Dictionary
Translate
Grammar
Thesaurus
+Plus
Cambridge Dictionary +Plus
Shop
Cambridge Dictionary +Plus
My profile
+Plus help
Log out
Cambridge Dictionary +Plus
My profile
+Plus help
Log out
Log in
/
Sign up
English (UK)
Search
Search
Learner’s Dictionary
Meaning of fit – Learner’s Dictionary
fitverb uk
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio
/fɪt/ us
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio
present participle fitting | past tense and past participle fitted
fit verb
(RIGHT SHAPE)
Add to word list
Add to word list
B1 to be the right shape or size for someone or something: This skirt doesn't fit any more. I can't find a lid to fit this jar.
More examplesFewer examplesI had to send the shirt back because it didn't fit me.If the dress doesn't fit, can I change it for a smaller one?This coat doesn't fit me any more.The trousers fit you really well.The lid didn't fit properly.
fit (sth) in/through/under, etc
B1 If people or things fit somewhere, or if you can fit them somewhere, that place is big enough for them: How many people can you fit in your car? This radio is small enough to fit into my pocket.
fit verb
(PUT)
B2 to put or fix something somewhere: You ought to fit a smoke alarm in the kitchen.
fit verb
(SAME)
to be the same as or like something: She seems to fit the police description.
fit verb
(SUITABLE)
to be suitable for something: The punishment should fit the crime.
Phrasal verbs
fit in
fit sb/sth in
fit in with sth
fitadjective uk
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio
/fɪt/ us
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio
fitter | fittest
fit adjective
(SUITABLE)
of a good enough quality or suitable type for a particular purpose: [ + to do sth ] Is this water fit to drink? She's not in a fit state to drive.
fit adjective
(HEALTH)
A2 healthy, especially because you exercise regularly: He's very fit for his age. Opposite
unfit
do sth as you see/think fit
to do something that you feel is the right thing to do, although other people might disapprove: You must spend the money as you see fit.
fitnoun uk
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio
/fɪt/ us
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio
a good/loose/tight, etc fit
used to say how something fits someone or somewhere: These shoes are a perfect fit.
fit noun
(SHORT EXPERIENCE)
a sudden, uncontrolled period of doing something or feeling something: a coughing fit I hit him in a fit of anger.
fit noun
(ILLNESS)
a short period of illness when someone cannot control their movements and becomes unconscious: to have an epileptic fit
have a fit informal
to become extremely angry: Mum had a fit when she saw the mess we'd made.
(Definition of fit from the Cambridge Learner's Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)
Translations of fit
in Chinese (Traditional)
尺寸正確, 合適,合身, 可容納…
See more
in Chinese (Simplified)
尺寸正确, 合适,合身, 可容纳…
See more
in Spanish
quedar bien, colocar, en forma…
See more
in Portuguese
servir, instalar, em forma…
See more
in more languages
in Marathi
in Japanese
in Turkish
in French
in Catalan
in Dutch
in Tamil
in Hindi
in Gujarati
in Danish
in Swedish
in Malay
in German
in Norwegian
in Urdu
in Ukrainian
in Russian
in Telugu
in Arabic
in Bengali
in Czech
in Indonesian
in Thai
in Vietnamese
in Polish
in Korean
in Italian
एखाद्यासाठी किंवा एखाद्या गोष्टीसाठी योग्य आकार असणे, लायक, योग्य…
See more
(大きさ、形が)ぴったり合う, (人、もの)が入る, ~を取り付ける…
See more
uymak, tam ölçüsünde olmak, uydurmak…
See more
aller à, (faire) entrer, caser…
See more
anar a la mida, entrar, cabre…
See more
gezond, geschikt, maat…
See more
யாரோ அல்லது ஏதோவொன்றுக்கு சரியான அளவு அல்லது வடிவமாக இருக்க வேண்டும், ஏதாவது ஒன்றுக்கு ஏற்றதாக இருத்தல், எதையாவது வழங்கவும் சரியான நிலையில் வைக்கவும்…
See more
अंटना, माकूल होना, किसी चीज़ या वस्तु का सही माप या अकार होना…
See more
કોઈ વ્યક્તિ કે વસ્તુ માટે યોગ્ય માપ અથવા આકારનું હોવું, લાયક, બંધ બેસતું…
See more
i form, sund og rask, i kondi…
See more
i bra form, spänstig, frisk…
See more
sihat, sesuai, cocok…
See more
in Form, passend, der Sitz…
See more
passe, få plass, sette…
See more
فٹ آنا, کسی کے لئےیا کسی چیز کے لئے صحیح سائز یا شکل کا ہونا, مناسب ہونا…
See more
здоровий, у хорошій формі, належний…
See more
подходить, быть впору, устанавливать…
See more
తగిన/యుక్తమైన, ఎవరో ఒక వ్యక్తికైనా లేదా దేనికైనా సరైన పరిమాణం లేదా ఆకారం ఉండు, దేనికోసం అనుకూలంగా ఉండాలి…
See more
يُناسِب, يُحْكِم, يُعِدّ…
See more
উপযুক্ত হওয়া, ফিট করা, উপযুক্ত…
See more
fit, ve fromě, vhodný…
See more
sehat, cocok, pas…
See more
ที่มีสุขภาพดี, เหมาะสม, ขนาดหรือรูปร่างที่ถูกต้อง…
See more
mạnh khoẻ, sung sức, thích hợp…
See more
pasować (do), zamontować, założyć…
See more
맞다, (장소에 사람이나 사물이 들어 가기가) 맞다, 설치하다…
See more
stare (di misura), entrare, installare…
See more
Need a translator?
Get a quick, free translation!
Translator tool
Browse
fisherman
fishing
fishy
fist
fit
fit in
fit in with sth
fit sb/sth in
fitful
More Learner's Dictionary definitions for fit
All
hissy (fit)
fit in
fit sb/sth in
fit in with sth
See all meanings
Phrasal Verbs
fit in
fit sb/sth in
fit in with sth
See all phrasal verb meanings
Word of the Day
response
UK
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio
/rɪˈspɒns/
US
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio
/rɪˈspɑːns/
an answer or reaction
About this
Blog
Forget doing it or forget to do it? Avoiding common mistakes with verb patterns (2)
March 06, 2024
Read More
New Words
inverse vaccine
March 11, 2024
More new words
has been added to list
To top
Contents
Learner’s DictionaryTranslations
© Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2024
Learn
Learn
Learn
New Words
Help
In Print
Word of the Year 2021
Word of the Year 2022
Word of the Year 2023
Develop
Develop
Develop
Dictionary API
Double-Click Lookup
Search Widgets
License Data
About
About
About
Accessibility
Cambridge English
Cambridge University Press & Assessment
Consent Management
Cookies and Privacy
Corpus
Terms of Use
© Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2024
Cambridge Dictionary +Plus
My profile
+Plus help
Log out
Dictionary
Definitions
Clear explanations of natural written and spoken English
English
Learner’s Dictionary
Essential British English
Essential American English
Translations
Click on the arrows to change the translation direction.
Bilingual Dictionaries
English–Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Simplified)–English
English–Chinese (Traditional)
Chinese (Traditional)–English
English–Dutch
Dutch–English
English–French
French–English
English–German
German–English
English–Indonesian
Indonesian–English
English–Italian
Italian–English
English–Japanese
Japanese–English
English–Norwegian
Norwegian–English
English–Polish
Polish–English
English–Portuguese
Portuguese–English
English–Spanish
Spanish–English
English–Swedish
Swedish–English
Semi-bilingual Dictionaries
English–Arabic
English–Bengali
English–Catalan
English–Czech
English–Danish
English–Gujarati
English–Hindi
English–Korean
English–Malay
English–Marathi
English–Russian
English–Tamil
English–Telugu
English–Thai
English–Turkish
English–Ukrainian
English–Urdu
English–Vietnamese
Translate
Grammar
Thesaurus
Pronunciation
Cambridge Dictionary +Plus
Shop
Cambridge Dictionary +Plus
My profile
+Plus help
Log out
Log in /
Sign up
English (UK)
Change
English (UK)
English (US)
Español
Русский
Português
Deutsch
Français
Italiano
中文 (简体)
正體中文 (繁體)
Polski
한국어
Türkçe
日本語
Tiếng Việt
Nederlands
Svenska
Dansk
Norsk
हिंदी
বাঙ্গালি
मराठी
ગુજરાતી
தமிழ்
తెలుగు
Українська
Follow us
Choose a dictionary
Recent and Recommended
Definitions
Clear explanations of natural written and spoken English
English
Learner’s Dictionary
Essential British English
Essential American English
Grammar and thesaurus
Usage explanations of natural written and spoken English
Grammar
Thesaurus
Pronunciation
British and American pronunciations with audio
English Pronunciation
Translation
Click on the arrows to change the translation direction.
Bilingual Dictionaries
English–Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Simplified)–English
English–Chinese (Traditional)
Chinese (Traditional)–English
English–Dutch
Dutch–English
English–French
French–English
English–German
German–English
English–Indonesian
Indonesian–English
English–Italian
Italian–English
English–Japanese
Japanese–English
English–Norwegian
Norwegian–English
English–Polish
Polish–English
English–Portuguese
Portuguese–English
English–Spanish
Spanish–English
English–Swedish
Swedish–English
Semi-bilingual Dictionaries
English–Arabic
English–Bengali
English–Catalan
English–Czech
English–Danish
English–Gujarati
English–Hindi
English–Korean
English–Malay
English–Marathi
English–Russian
English–Tamil
English–Telugu
English–Thai
English–Turkish
English–Ukrainian
English–Urdu
English–Vietnamese
Dictionary +Plus
Word Lists
Choose your language
English (UK)
English (US)
Español
Русский
Português
Deutsch
Français
Italiano
中文 (简体)
正體中文 (繁體)
Polski
한국어
Türkçe
日本語
Tiếng Việt
Nederlands
Svenska
Dansk
Norsk
हिंदी
বাঙ্গালি
मराठी
ગુજરાતી
தமிழ்
తెలుగు
Українська
Contents
Learner’s Dictionary
Verb
fit (RIGHT SHAPE)
fit (sth) in/through/under, etc
fit (PUT)
fit (SAME)
fit (SUITABLE)
Adjective
fit (SUITABLE)
fit (HEALTH)
do sth as you see/think fit
Noun
fit
a good/loose/tight, etc fit
fit (SHORT EXPERIENCE)
fit (ILLNESS)
have a fit
Translations
Grammar
All translations
My word lists
Add fit to one of your lists below, or create a new one.
More
Go to your word lists
Tell us about this example sentence:
The word in the example sentence does not match the entry word.
The sentence contains offensive content.
Cancel
Submit
The word in the example sentence does not match the entry word.
The sentence contains offensive content.
Cancel
Submit
How to Get Fit: 13 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow
Skip to ContentQuizzesPRO
Courses
Guides
New
Tech Help Pro
Expert Videos
About wikiHow Pro
Upgrade
Sign In
QUIZZESEDIT
Edit this Article
EXPLORE
Tech Help ProAbout UsRandom ArticleQuizzes
Request a New ArticleCommunity DashboardThis Or That Game
Popular Categories
Arts and EntertainmentArtworkBooksMoviesComputers and ElectronicsComputersPhone SkillsTechnology HacksHealthMen's HealthMental HealthWomen's HealthRelationshipsDatingLoveRelationship Issues
Hobbies and CraftsCraftsDrawingGamesEducation & CommunicationCommunication SkillsPersonal DevelopmentStudyingPersonal Care and StyleFashionHair CarePersonal HygieneYouthPersonal CareSchool StuffDating
All Categories
Arts and EntertainmentFinance and BusinessHome and GardenRelationship Quizzes
Cars & Other VehiclesFood and EntertainingPersonal Care and StyleSports and Fitness
Computers and ElectronicsHealthPets and AnimalsTravel
Education & CommunicationHobbies and CraftsPhilosophy and ReligionWork World
Family LifeHolidays and TraditionsRelationshipsYouth
LOG IN
Log in
Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers. Please log in with your username or email to continue.
wikiHow Account
No account yet? Create an account
RANDOMHomeRandomBrowse ArticlesLearn Something NewGuidesCoursesQuizzesHotPlay GamesThis Or That GameNewTrain Your BrainExplore MoreSupport wikiHowAbout wikiHowLog in / Sign upTerms of Use
wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow
CategoriesSports and FitnessPersonal FitnessMotivation to ExerciseHow to Get Fit
Download Article
Explore this Article
parts
1
Developing the Right Mindset
2
Exercising to Get Fit
3
Eating and Drinking Right
What Post Workout Recovery Drinks Should I Drink?
Sample Exercises, Goals, and Apps to Help You Get Fit
+
Show 2 more...
-
Show less...
Other Sections
Expert Q&A
VideoWATCH NOW
Tips and Warnings
Related Articles
References
Article Summary
Co-authored by
Laila Ajani
Last Updated: October 16, 2023
Approved
Download Article
ARTICLE
VIDEO
X
This article was co-authored by Laila Ajani. Laila Ajani is a Fitness Trainer and founder of Push Personal Fitness, a personal training organization based in the San Francisco Bay Area. With over 10 years as a trainer and exercise specialist, Laila has expertise in competitive athletics (gymnastics, powerlifting, and tennis), personal training, distance running, and Olympic lifting. Laila is certified by the National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA), USA Powerlifting (USAPL), and she is a Corrective Exercise Specialist (CES).
There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article has 15 testimonials from our readers, earning it our reader-approved status.
This article has been viewed 2,731,859 times.
The thought of getting fit may seem daunting, but the payoff is worth it. We've laid out the steps you should take to get yourself onto the path that leads to the fitter, healthier you.
Steps
Part 1
Part 1 of 3:
Developing the Right Mindset
Download Article
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/5e\/Make-Yourself-Happy-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-Yourself-Happy-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/5e\/Make-Yourself-Happy-Step-6.jpg\/aid27598-v4-728px-Make-Yourself-Happy-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"
License: Creative Commons<\/a> 1 Develop the right attitude. The mind may not be a muscle, but it's still incredibly strong, and can make the difference between succeeding and failing at your goal. Being fit is a marathon, not a sprint, and it requires making changes to your entire lifestyle. Don't give up when you're not getting what you're heading for... Don't approach this with the mindset that you can abandon the changes you make as soon as you reach your ideal fitness goal or you risk slipping into your bad habits again. Being fit should mean incorporating things into your life that you can eventually do by habit. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/5b\/Become-a-Certified-Life-Coach-Step-11.jpg\/v4-460px-Become-a-Certified-Life-Coach-Step-11.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/5b\/Become-a-Certified-Life-Coach-Step-11.jpg\/aid27598-v4-728px-Become-a-Certified-Life-Coach-Step-11.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":" License: Creative Commons<\/a> 2 Keep track of your progress and be proud of minor improvements. It is a good idea to start a 'fit journal' so that you can keep track of when you work out, what you do, and for how long. You can also log what you eat each day. You may find that when you have to write down whether you snacked or not you may be less inclined to snack. Don't think that just because you have one setback, you may as well scrap it all and give up for the day. Don't be discouraged if you stop losing weight or stop gaining muscle; remember that plateaus are normal but overall you've put yourself on an upward trajectory and that's definitely something to be proud of. EXPERT TIP Michele Dolan Certified Fitness Trainer Michele Dolan is a BCRPA certified Personal Trainer in British Columbia. She has been a personal trainer and fitness instructor since 2002. Michele Dolan Certified Fitness Trainer Keep at it, and don't get discouraged too soon. According to certified personal trainer, Michele Dolan, "You can significantly improve your fitness in 4-8 weeks by exercising daily for 30-60 minutes." Advertisement {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/95\/Reflect-on-Your-Life-Step-12.jpg\/v4-460px-Reflect-on-Your-Life-Step-12.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/95\/Reflect-on-Your-Life-Step-12.jpg\/aid27598-v4-728px-Reflect-on-Your-Life-Step-12.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":" License: Creative Commons<\/a> 3 Create a commitment contract with yourself. These contracts are otherwise known as a reward system. Set a goal for yourself and then decide upon a reward for yourself. Pick an item that you really want or something that you really want to do.[1] X Research source For instance, make a contract with yourself that states that if you go on a run for 30 minutes every day you can buy that cute shirt or new golf clubs you have had your eye on for weeks now. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/0c\/Motivate-Yourself-to-Lose-Weight-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Motivate-Yourself-to-Lose-Weight-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/0c\/Motivate-Yourself-to-Lose-Weight-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/aid27598-v4-728px-Motivate-Yourself-to-Lose-Weight-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":" License: Creative Commons<\/a> 4 Get someone else to get fit with you. It is much easier to reach your goals when you have someone to share the pain and the gain. Create a schedule that you can both commit to and keep each other on track.[2] X Research source You could even get a group of people in on the 'get fit' schedule. Have everyone put $10 into a pot and the person who works out the most during the set amount of time wins the money. Advertisement Part 2 Part 2 of 3: Exercising to Get Fit Download Article {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/41\/Get-Rid-of-Love-Handles-%28for-Men%29-Step-8.jpg\/v4-460px-Get-Rid-of-Love-Handles-%28for-Men%29-Step-8.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/41\/Get-Rid-of-Love-Handles-%28for-Men%29-Step-8.jpg\/aid27598-v4-728px-Get-Rid-of-Love-Handles-%28for-Men%29-Step-8.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":" License: Creative Commons<\/a> 1 Incorporate more physical exercise into your daily routine. By regularly challenging yourself you keep your physical self "tuned up". If getting fit means losing weight, this will help the pounds melt away—and stay away! If you're training for endurance, this is the way to ensure steady improvement.Consistent daily exercise is very important factor.You must not skip days. Take the subway or bike to work or school instead of driving. If that's not possible, park several blocks away from your office building to force yourself into two 15-minute walks every day. When you go to the grocery store, hardware store, movies, or mall, park at the end of the lot instead of wrangling for a spot near the front door. Walk the dog more often—both your body and your pup will thank you. Clean your house vigorously. You'd be surprised how physically taxing housework is: dusting your shelves, cleaning your toilets, doing the dishes, mowing the lawn, pulling weeds, vacuuming and sweeping, picking up the house, and cleaning the garage will definitely give you a workout. Making yourself and your family clean parts of your house on a regular basis will not only create a better environment for you to live in, but also make burning calories, staying flexible, and keeping in shape a much simpler process. Exercise at the office. Believe it or not, it’s completely possible to make sitting at your computer into a calorie-burning activity. You can stretch and workout your muscles by doing leg lifts, oblique reaches, and lower back reaches, among others.Give breaks and stand and hear some music or walk for 5 minutes and get back to work. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e3\/Get-Rid-of-Cramps-Step-7-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Get-Rid-of-Cramps-Step-7-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e3\/Get-Rid-of-Cramps-Step-7-Version-2.jpg\/aid27598-v4-728px-Get-Rid-of-Cramps-Step-7-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":" License: Creative Commons<\/a> 2 Start an exercise regimen and stick to it. A proper fitness program has five components: a warm-up, an aerobic workout, strength-building exercises, stretching (flexibility), and a cool-down. A good warm-up is a steady walk outside or on the treadmill, a slow pedal on a stationary bike, or a few rounds on the stair master. You want to exercise just enough to get your blood flowing and put your joints through their full range of motion so that your muscles warm up. Exercising without a warm up could lead to pulling or straining a muscle. Cardio workouts improve circulation and endurance. This could include going on a run, biking at a high resistance, or doing an increased speed on a stair crunching machine. You want to work up a sweat and get your blood pumping. Good cardiovascular health is not only good for heart health and blood pressure, it has even been linked to a decreased risk of Alzheimer’s Disease. Doing interval training (i.e. alternating between low-intensity and high-intensity activity) has been shown to be an especially fast and effective way to improve heart health and endurance, and an efficient way to burn fat.[3] X Research source Building muscle through strength-training will not only increase your strength and tone, but will also increase your metabolism, as muscular people have been shown to burn more calories even when they’re at rest. You could work with weights, do squats, push ups, or crunches, among many other exercises.[4] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source If going to the gym isn’t for you, try strength-training at home. Stretching during or after a workout increases your flexibility. It can also relieve muscle and joint stiffness. Stretch your legs, arms, back, any muscles that you used while working out (which should generally be all of them.)[5] X Research source A cool-down is very similar to a warm-up. You should perform some sort of cardio exercise at a very low level. Cooling down allows your muscles to relax while the blood is still flowing through them at a slightly increased rate.[6] X Research source Note: anyone over the age of 60 or who has heart disease, high blood pressure, or arthritis should consult a doctor before attempting interval training. EXPERT TIP Laila Ajani Fitness Trainer Laila Ajani is a Fitness Trainer and founder of Push Personal Fitness, a personal training organization based in the San Francisco Bay Area. With over 10 years as a trainer and exercise specialist, Laila has expertise in competitive athletics (gymnastics, powerlifting, and tennis), personal training, distance running, and Olympic lifting. Laila is certified by the National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA), USA Powerlifting (USAPL), and she is a Corrective Exercise Specialist (CES). Laila Ajani Fitness Trainer Focus on working your whole body. When you're first getting started exercising, try to take a balanced approach. Do pushing and pulling exercises, work your core, and try to incorporate dumbbells to help you improve your strength. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/fa\/Get-Skinny-Arms-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Get-Skinny-Arms-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/fa\/Get-Skinny-Arms-Step-6.jpg\/aid27598-v4-728px-Get-Skinny-Arms-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":" License: Creative Commons<\/a> 3 Switch things up. Any physical activity that takes a bit of effort will help you get fit, but it's important to remember that variety is the spice of life—and of physical fitness! More importantly, as your body gets comfortable performing a certain activity, it learns to do it more efficiently, making it easy for you to plateau in your workouts. Keep both your body and your mind guessing by enjoying a diversity of activities and having fun. Dance. Anything from ballet dance to breakdancing or even jump style will increase your fitness if you stick with it. Enroll in a Zumba or hip-hop class. You’ll be surprised by how many calories you burn while having fun. Go swimming. It doesn't matter if you're treading water, dog paddling, or mastering the butterfly stroke. Swimming is a good form of exercise that can be fun, too. Do yoga. Yoga is a healthy exercise that keeps both your mind and body fit. Pick one day a week to let your body indulge in some serious stretching, rather than doing your normal workout. Yoga will help you maintain your flexibility, but is also a great way to tone your muscles. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/0c\/Lose-10-Pounds-in-2-Weeks-Step-3-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Lose-10-Pounds-in-2-Weeks-Step-3-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/0c\/Lose-10-Pounds-in-2-Weeks-Step-3-Version-4.jpg\/aid27598-v4-728px-Lose-10-Pounds-in-2-Weeks-Step-3-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":" License: Creative Commons<\/a> 4 Join extracurricular activities like playing sports! Being with other people helps motivate you to keep going. For example, you're doing track. Your teammates motivate you to keep going (and possibly the fact you don't want to be last), unlike when you're at home on the treadmill by yourself when you can easily press a button and you're done. Advertisement Part 3 Part 3 of 3: Eating and Drinking Right Download Article {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/9c\/Live-A-Happy-Life-Step-4-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Live-A-Happy-Life-Step-4-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/9c\/Live-A-Happy-Life-Step-4-Version-3.jpg\/aid27598-v4-728px-Live-A-Happy-Life-Step-4-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":" License: Creative Commons<\/a> 1 Give your body the fuel it needs. As you become more active, you'll need more food, but not just any food—you need healthy, energy-laden food that will jump-start the next phase of your day, not weigh it down. Learn how to eat healthfully and drink more water. Switch to whole grains. It's healthy and delicious. It might not be what you're used to, but you'll enjoy the richer, nuttier flavors. If you don't want to switch entirely to whole grain, try to make half of the grains you eat whole grain. Who knows—you may find that you like whole grain more and more each day.[7] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source Cut out unhealthy snacks and replace them with fruits and vegetables. The high fiber and water content will make you feel full, and the high vitamin and mineral content will nourish and transform your body naturally. Try to make meals that are half fruits and half veggies. Eat lean protein foods. Try to buy meat that is lean (which means that it has a lower fat percentage). Eat beans, eggs, and seeds to boost your protein intake without the fat that comes with meat. Eat seafood at least once a week. Seafood contains protein as well as omega-3 fatty acids (which is the heart-healthy kind of fat).[8] X Research source Cut back on solid fats. These include items made with butter or shortening such as cookies, cakes, and other desserts. They are also found in processed meat like sausage and bacon, as well as in ice cream and pizza. Solid fat is the kind that results in you hitting the gym a lot more.[9] X Research source Eat foods with a low glycemic index. These are foods that take longer for your body to digest and convert into energy, so you will feel fuller throughout the day with a smaller number of calories. Moreover, you avoid the "sugar rush" that comes as a result of eating foods with a high glycemic index, getting a nice boost of sustained energy throughout the day instead. This will keep you uplifted whether you're doing work or exercising. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/47\/Stop-Eating-Junk-Food-Step-2-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Stop-Eating-Junk-Food-Step-2-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/47\/Stop-Eating-Junk-Food-Step-2-Version-3.jpg\/aid27598-v4-728px-Stop-Eating-Junk-Food-Step-2-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}