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moderate-size

moderate-size

1 3.2
Larger than small but smaller than large
  • adjective
  • /ˈmɒdərɪt saɪz/
: de tamaño moderado
  • They hosted a moderate-size gathering to celebrate their anniversary.

You know, you're constantly in situations where you could do the right thing if you were willing to take a risk that's actually of relatively moderate size.

Examples

  • He was of moderate size with close-cropped hair.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • Most doctoral programs were of moderate size in terms of the number of students.

    Academic text (1994)
  • The sample for this study included residents of a moderate-size, corporately owned, assisted-living residence in a large urban setting in the southeastern United States.

    Academic text (2002)
  • Although a city of moderate size (population 1.2 million), Milwaukee is characterized by ethnically diverse communities and an impoverished inner city.

    Academic text (2004)
  • The apartment was of a moderate-size, perfect for a small family.

  • He purchased a moderate-size car that was easy to park in the city.

Synonyms

moderate
vsmoderate-size
415 3.3

Not very large or intense

limits this nonextreme idea to physical size specifically
medium
vsmoderate-size
162 1.3

Of average size, not too big or too small

focuses specifically on physical size rather than general averageness
medium-sized
vsmoderate-size
31 2.4

Of a size between small and large

says the same about size but with a different common form
midsize
vsmoderate-size
  • US
8 3.2

Medium in size between small and large

conveys the same middle size but with alternate phrasing
medium-size
vsmoderate-size
3 2.3

Of a size between small and large

uses the same intermediate size idea but with alternate wording
midsized
vsmoderate-size
  • US
3 3.4

Medium in size and not large or small

expresses that middle size idea using different vocabulary
moderate-sized
vsmoderate-size
1 4.1

A person or thing that is between large and small in size

is the same meaning but written in a different hyphenated adjective form
midscale
vsmoderate-size
4.2

Of medium price and quality between budget and luxury

uses the middle size sense for general physical things rather than business

Antonyms

∞ 1.0

Not large in size or amount

∞ 1.0

Bigger than average in size, number, or amount

How Big

huge
∞ 1.0
large
2 1.0
moderate-size
1 3.2
small
2 1.1
tiny
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

moderate-size positive

Morphology

moderate-size = moderate + size (transparent) = moderate + size

The meaning 'of intermediate size' is a straightforward combination of 'moderate' + 'size', which learners can derive from the components.

Etymology

Moderate-size begins with moderate, from a root that meant 'measure' or 'middle' and is like the word mode, and ends with size, meaning how big something is. So a moderate-size thing is 'in the middle', not too big or too small.