What is a size?

Answer 1

Size describes the physical dimension of something, how big or small the item is as compared to another size. A "size" can be generally standardized, such as clothing sizes or shoe sizes. However, because of size differences between cultures, even sizes in clothing and shoes can vary; a size 8 may be cut smaller and be an actual size 6. (This is why people "try on" clothes and shoes before buying.)

Size can also be averaged as small, medium, and large (such as in clothing), or tiny and big. Size averaging occurs when we cannot or have not actually taken measurements of a thing. Size averaging can be very subjective. For example, a student fell on the steps at school. He complained he had a "big cut" on his arm and wanted to go home. The principal judged it to be a "small superficial scratch". It was measured at less than 1/2 inch long and barely broke the skin, e.g. so it was thin, not wide, and superficial, not deep.

We measure many objects to know the length, width, and depth dimensions. For example, people don't usually shop for a "medium sized television"; instead, people know a general size, such as "a 27-inch color television".

For other objects or items, we become accustomed to a size standardization set by a particular industry or a particular store. For example, we may be used to "a large drink" that is 32-ounces, but you might find a different store only sells drinks of 24-ounces but call them "large size". That variation is important to know, especially if we pay more for a size that gives less.