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Fit

adj. energetic, capable everyday

What it means

Meaning 1

Healthy and physically ready for demanding activity.

Reach for it when describing bodily condition or readiness for exertion

Daily cycling kept Mara fit for the mountain survey.

Meaning 2

Suitable and sufficiently qualified for a particular role or use.

Reach for it when judging whether a person or thing meets the needs of a purpose

The restored hall is now fit for public events.

Words to choose between 8

By register, from playful at the top to literary at the bottom, and by meaning across. Tap a word to see when it fits.
Meaning 1Meaning 2
everyday
professional
formal

Meaning 1: Healthy and physically ready for demanding activity.

  • everyday

    athletic

    Fits when sporting ability or build is the visible quality

    Careful Athletic describes capacity or style, not necessarily current health.

  • everyday

    healthy

    Fits when overall bodily wellbeing matters more than athletic ability

    Careful A healthy person may not be conditioned for demanding exercise.

  • professional

    conditioned

    Fits when training has prepared the body for a specific demand

    Careful It sounds technical in a casual compliment about vitality.

  • formal

    vigorous

    Fits when energy and robust activity deserve emphasis

    Careful Vigorous may describe an action rather than a person's fitness.

Meaning 2: Suitable and sufficiently qualified for a particular role or use.

  • everyday

    ready

    Fits when preparation for immediate use is what you mean

    Careful Ready can be temporary and says little about inherent suitability.

  • professional

    qualified

    Fits when skills or credentials make a person appropriate

    Careful Qualified does not fit an object, room, or material.

  • professional

    suitable

    Fits when the match to a purpose is the precise question

    Careful Suitable does not confirm safety or readiness to the same degree.

  • formal

    appropriate

    Fits when social or contextual acceptability is central

    Careful An appropriate choice may still be physically unfit for use.

Opposites 4

  • unfit
  • unhealthy
  • unsuitable
  • unqualified

Common phrases 3

  • physically fit

    The physically fit crew carried supplies along the steep path.

  • fit for purpose

    The inspection confirmed that the lift is fit for purpose.

  • fit to serve

    After retraining, the unit was fit to serve remote clinics.

Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Dvortygirl, American accent, from Wikimedia Commons, public domain Updated