resize

resize — verb

1. to change the width and height of a digital image, window, or other on-screen el

1.verbtransitiveB1
Definition

to change the width and height of a digital image, window, or other on-screen element, usually by dragging a corner or edge or by entering new measurements.

Example

Amira resized the photo to 800 by 600 pixels before sending it to the printer.

resize + noun phrase + measurements

You can drag the corner of the box to resize the image inside the document.

drag to resize [something]

Common collocations
  • resize an image
  • resize a photo
  • resize a window
  • resize a diagram
  • resize a layer
Synonyms
  • scale

    applies to any object at any size; often implies proportional change, while resize may not

  • adjust

    broader — can refer to colour, brightness, contrast, or position, not just dimensions

Grammar Patterns

resize + noun phrase

resize + noun phrase + to + measurement

Usage Note

Overwhelmingly used in computing and digital-editing contexts. For physical objects such as clothing or furniture, 'alter' or 'adjust' is more natural.

Common Mistakes

I resized the picture smaller.
I resized the picture to make it smaller.
The verb 'resize' already means to change size; adding 'smaller' directly after the object is grammatically unusual. Use 'to make it smaller' or specify the target dimensions instead.

2. to change the circumference of a ring, bracelet, or other piece of jewelry so th

2.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to change the circumference of a ring, bracelet, or other piece of jewelry so that it fits the wearer's body properly.

Example

Lara had her engagement ring resized at the jeweler after losing some weight.

have [something] resized

The jeweler said he could resize the vintage bracelet by adding an extra link.

Common collocations
  • resize a ring
  • resize a bracelet
  • resize a band
  • have a ring resized
Synonyms
  • alter

    more general — includes changes to length, shape, or style, not just circumference

  • adjust

    can mean tightening a clasp without cutting or adding material, whereas resize implies physical alteration

Grammar Patterns

resize + noun phrase

have + noun phrase + resized

Usage Note

Most commonly used with rings. Not all jewelry can be resized — some metals and designs (e.g., tension-set stones, channel-set bands) make resizing impractical.

Common Mistakes

Can you resize my watch?
Can you resize my watch strap?
For watches, resize applies to the strap or band, not the mechanism or the watch face itself.

Word family

  • resizable
    adjectiveB2
  • resizing
    nounB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

Resize, scale, adjust, and crop all involve changing the look or dimensions of a digital image, but each does something different. Resize means changing the overall width and height of the image, which usually keeps the proportions the same unless you deliberately distort it. Scale specifically means changing size by a percentage or factor, keeping proportions intact — for example, scaling an image to 150% of its original size. Adjust is the broadest word: you can adjust brightness, contrast, colour balance, or sharpness, none of which affect dimensions at all. Crop means trimming the outer edges of an image to remove unwanted parts or change the composition, which reduces dimensions differently from resizing. When you need a photo to fit a 4x6 frame, you resize it. When you want to remove a bystander from the edge, you crop it. When the lighting is too dark, you adjust the brightness.

resize ↗scale ↗adjust ↗crop ↗

Common collocations

Phrases

  • resize to fit

Prepositions

  • resize to [measurement/size]
  • resize for [purpose/wearer]

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

Formed by adding the prefix 're-' (meaning 'again') to the word 'size' (dimensions or magnitude). 'Size' comes from Old French 'sise', a shortened form of 'assise' ('a sitting, a fixed amount'), which traces back to Latin 'assidēre' ('to sit beside'). The verb 'resize' emerged in the late twentieth century alongside digital imaging and graphical user interfaces, when users needed a word for changing the dimensions of on-screen elements.