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moderate-size

moderate-size

1 3.2
Larger than small but smaller than large
  • adjective
  • /ˈmɒdərɪt saɪz/
translation icon : 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.