Fit vs. Fitness — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 19, 2024
Fit refers to suitability or the state of being well-adapted, while fitness involves physical health, strength, and endurance.
Difference Between Fit and Fitness
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Fit is often used to describe the appropriateness or suitability of something for a specific purpose, such as a dress that fits perfectly or a candidate who is a good fit for a job role. It emphasizes the idea of matching or meeting certain criteria. Fitness, in contrast, pertains to the condition of being physically healthy and strong, often associated with exercise, diet, and overall physical well-being. It's about the capacity to perform physical activities effectively.
When talking about clothing, being "fit" means that the garment complements the wearer's body shape and size appropriately, highlighting the concept of matching physical dimensions. On the other hand, "fitness" clothing is designed to support physical activity, focusing on the functionality and comfort needed to enhance physical performance.
In the context of work or roles, a person being "fit" for a position implies that their skills, experiences, and personal attributes are well-suited to the job's requirements. "Fitness" for a role, while less commonly used in this sense, could imply the individual's physical and mental capacity to perform job-related tasks, particularly in physically demanding positions.
The term "fit" can also refer to the state of being in good health or condition, which overlaps with the concept of "fitness." However, "fitness" specifically focuses on physical health and the ability to perform sports, daily activities, and work with vigor and without undue fatigue. It's more comprehensive, encompassing endurance, strength, and flexibility.
"Fit" is versatile, applying to a wide range of contexts beyond physical health, including emotional and situational suitability. "Fitness," however, is specialized, primarily relating to physical health and the ability to undertake physical exertion efficiently. It's measured through specific criteria such as cardiovascular health, muscle strength, and flexibility.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Suitability or the state of being well-adapted
Physical health, strength, and endurance
Context
General suitability, including work, clothing, health
Physical condition, particularly in relation to exercise
Focus
Appropriateness, matching criteria
Physical capacity and well-being
Applications
Clothing fit, job suitability, health status
Exercise performance, physical health
Measurement
Subjective assessment of suitability
Objective criteria like endurance, strength, flexibility
Compare with Definitions
Fit
Meeting the required standards.
The software is a good fit for our project’s needs.
Fitness
Suitability for physical tasks.
The job requires a fitness test to ensure candidates can handle the physical demands.
Fit
In good health.
After months of training, he felt fit and ready for the marathon.
Fitness
The condition of being physically strong and healthy.
Regular exercise improves your overall fitness.
Fit
Suitable or appropriate.
The role requires a candidate who is a perfect fit for the company culture.
Fitness
Ability to perform physical activities.
His fitness level was evident in his quick recovery after the race.
Fit
Corresponding correctly to size or shape.
She finally found a dress that was a great fit.
Fitness
Focus on health and endurance.
The fitness regime includes cardio, strength training, and flexibility exercises.
Fit
Well-suited or compatible.
They make a fit couple, sharing many interests and values.
Fitness
A measure of physical performance.
Her fitness has improved significantly since she started the new training program.
Fit
Of a suitable quality, standard, or type to meet the required purpose
The house was not fit for human habitation
Is the water clean and fit to drink?
Fitness
The state or condition of being fit; suitability or appropriateness.
Fit
In good health, especially because of regular physical exercise
The measures would ensure a leaner, fitter company
My family keep fit by walking and cycling
Fitness
Good health, especially good physical condition resulting from exercise and proper nutrition.
Fit
Be of the right shape and size for
Those jeans still fit me
The shoes fitted better after being stretched
Fitness
(Biology) The extent to which an organism is able to produce offspring in a particular environment.
Fit
Install or fix (something) into place
They fitted smoke alarms to their home
Fitness
The condition of being fit, suitable or appropriate.
Fit
Be compatible or in agreement with; match
The landlord had not seen anyone fitting that description
Fitness
The cultivation of an attractive and/or healthy physique.
Fit
Have an epileptic fit
He started fitting uncontrollably
Fitness
(evolutionary theory) An organism's or species' degree of success in finding a mate and producing offspring.
Fit
The particular way in which something, especially a garment or component, fits
The dress was a perfect fit
Fitness
The condition of being attractive, fanciable or beautiful.
Fit
A sudden attack of convulsions and/or loss of consciousness, typical of epilepsy and some other medical conditions
The child had frequent fits
Fitness
The state or quality of being fit; as, the fitness of measures or laws; a person's fitness for office.
Fit
A sudden short period of uncontrollable coughing, laughter, etc.
Fitness
The condition of being suitable;
They had to prove their fitness for the position
Fit
A section of a poem.
Fitness
Good physical condition; being in shape or in condition
Fit
To be the proper size and shape for
These shoes fit me.
Fitness
Fitness to traverse the seas
Fit
To cause to be the proper size and shape
The tailor fitted the trousers by shortening them.
Fitness
The quality of being qualified
Fit
To measure for proper size
She fitted me for a new jacket.
Fit
To be appropriate to; suit
Music that fits your mood.
Fit
To be in conformity or agreement with
Observations that fit the theory nicely.
Fit
To make suitable; adapt
Fitted the shelves for large books.
Fit
To make ready; prepare
Specialized training fitted her for the job.
Fit
To equip; outfit
Fit out a ship.
Fit
To provide a place or time for
You can't fit any more toys in the box. The doctor can fit you in today.
Fit
To insert or adjust so as to be properly in place
Fit a handle on a door.
Fit
To be the proper size and shape.
Fit
To be suited; belong
Doesn't fit in with these people.
Fit
To be in harmony; agree
His good mood fit in with the joyful occasion.
Fit
Suited, adapted, or acceptable for a given circumstance or purpose
Not a fit time for flippancy.
Fit
Appropriate; proper
Do as you see fit.
Fit
Physically sound; healthy
Keeps fit with diet and exercise.
Fit
(Biology) Able to survive and produce viable offspring in a particular environment
Fit
The state, quality, or way of being fitted
The proper fit of means to ends.
Fit
The manner in which clothing fits
A jacket with a tight fit.
Fit
The degree of precision with which surfaces are adjusted or adapted to each other in a machine or collection of parts.
Fit
A seizure or convulsion, especially one caused by epilepsy.
Fit
A sudden physical outburst
A fit of coughing.
A fit of laughter.
Fit
A sudden, involuntary physical reaction
A fit of shivering.
A fit of cramps.
Fit
A sudden, involuntary mental experience
A fit of amnesia.
A fit of déjà vu.
Fit
A sudden outburst of emotion
A fit of jealousy.
Fit
A sudden period of vigorous activity.
Fit
A section of a poem or ballad.
Fit
Suitable, proper.
You have nothing to say about it. I'll do exactly as I see fit.
Fit
Adapted to a purpose or environment.
Survival of the fittest
Fit
In good shape; physically well.
You don't have to be a good climber for Kilimanjaro, but you do have to be fit.
Fit
Prepared; ready.
Fit
(transitive) To be suitable for.
It fits the purpose.
Fit
(intransitive) To have sufficient space available at some location to be able to be there.
Ten clowns fit in the car, but not a hundred.
A grain of sand will fit in the cave, but an elephant will not.
Fit
(transitive) To conform to in size and shape.
The small shirt doesn't fit me, so I'll buy the medium size.
If I lose a few kilos, the gorgeous wedding dress might fit me.
Fit
(intransitive) To be of the right size and shape
I wanted to borrow my little sister's jeans, but they didn't fit.
That plug fit into the other socket, but it won't go in this one.
Fit
To make conform in size and shape.
I want to fit the drapes to the windows.
Fit
(transitive) To tailor; to change to the appropriate size.
I had a suit fitted by the tailor.
Fit
(transitive) To be in agreement with.
These definitions fit most of the usage.
Fit
(transitive) To adjust.
The regression program fit a line to the data.
Fit
(transitive) To attach, especially when requiring exact positioning or sizing.
Fit
(transitive) To equip or supply.
The chandler will fit us with provisions for a month.
Fit
(transitive) To make ready.
I'm fitting the ship for a summer sail home.
Fit
To be seemly.
Fit
To be proper or becoming.
Fit
(intransitive) To be in harmony.
The paint, the fabrics, the rugs all fit.
Fit
To suffer a fit.
Fit
Fight; fought.
Fit
The degree to which something fits.
This shirt is a bad fit.
Since he put on weight, his jeans have been a tight fit.
Fit
Conformity of elements one to another.
It's hard to get a good fit using second-hand parts.
Fit
The part of an object upon which anything fits tightly.
Fit
(advertising) Measure of how well a particular commercial execution captures the character or values of a brand.
The Wonder Bread advertising research results showed the “White Picket Fence” commercial had strong fit ratings.
Fit
(statistics) Goodness of fit.
Fit
(bridge) The quality of a partnership's combined holding of cards in a suit, particularly of trump.
During the auction, it is often a partnership's goal to find an eight-card major suit fit.
Fit
(archaic) A section of a poem or ballad.
Fit
A seizure or convulsion.
My grandfather died after having a fit.
Fit
(medicine) A sudden and vigorous appearance of a symptom over a short period of time.
Fit
A sudden outburst of emotion.
He had a laughing fit which lasted more than ten minutes.
She had a fit and threw all of his clothes out through the window.
He threw a fit when his car broke down.
Fit
A sudden burst (of an activity).
Fit
(informal) An outfit, a set of clothing.
How do you like the fit?
Fit
In Old English, a song; a strain; a canto or portion of a ballad; a passus.
To play some pleasant fit.
Fit
The quality of being fit; adjustment; adaptedness; as of dress to the person of the wearer.
Fit
The coincidence of parts that come in contact.
Fit
A stroke or blow.
Curse on that cross, quoth then the Sarazin,That keeps thy body from the bitter fit.
Fit
A sudden and violent attack of a disorder; a stroke of disease, as of epilepsy or apoplexy, which produces convulsions or unconsciousness; a convulsion; a paroxysm; hence, a period of exacerbation of a disease; in general, an attack of disease; as, a fit of sickness.
And when the fit was on him, I did markHow he did shake.
Fit
A mood of any kind which masters or possesses one for a time; a temporary, absorbing affection; a paroxysm; as, a fit of melancholy, of passion, or of laughter.
All fits of pleasure we balanced by an equal degree of pain.
The English, however, were on this subject prone to fits of jealously.
Fit
A passing humor; a caprice; a sudden and unusual effort, activity, or motion, followed by relaxation or inaction; an impulsive and irregular action.
The fits of the season.
Fit
A darting point; a sudden emission.
A tongue of light, a fit of flame.
Fit
Adapted to an end, object, or design; suitable by nature or by art; suited by character, qualitties, circumstances, education, etc.; qualified; competent; worthy.
That which ordinary men are fit for, I am qualified in.
Fit audience find, though few.
Fit
Prepared; ready.
So fit to shoot, she singled forth amongher foes who first her quarry's strength should feel.
Fit
Conformed to a standart of duty, properiety, or taste; convenient; meet; becoming; proper.
Is it fit to say a king, Thou art wicked?
Fit
To make fit or suitable; to adapt to the purpose intended; to qualify; to put into a condition of readiness or preparation.
The time is fitted for the duty.
The very situation for which he was peculiarly fitted by nature.
Fit
To bring to a required form and size; to shape aright; to adapt to a model; to adjust; - said especially of the work of a carpenter, machinist, tailor, etc.
The carpenter . . . marketh it out with a line; he fitteth it with planes.
Fit
To supply with something that is suitable or fit, or that is shaped and adjusted to the use required.
No milliner can so fit his customers with gloves.
Fit
To be suitable to; to answer the requirements of; to be correctly shaped and adjusted to; as, if the coat fits you, put it on.
That's a bountiful answer that fits all questions.
That time best fits the work.
Fit
To be proper or becoming.
Nor fits it to prolong the feast.
Fit
To be adjusted to a particular shape or size; to suit; to be adapted; as, his coat fits very well.
Fit
A display of bad temper;
He had a fit
She threw a tantrum
He made a scene
Fit
A sudden uncontrollable attack;
A paroxysm of giggling
A fit of coughing
Convulsions of laughter
Fit
The manner in which something fits;
I admired the fit of her coat
Fit
A sudden flurry of activity (often for no obvious reason);
A burst of applause
A fit of housecleaning
Fit
Be agreeable or acceptable to;
This suits my needs
Fit
Be the right size or shape; fit correctly or as desired;
This piece won't fit into the puzzle
Fit
Satisfy a condition or restriction;
Does this paper meet the requirements for the degree?
Fit
Make fit;
Fit a dress
He fitted other pieces of paper to his cut-out
Fit
Insert or adjust several objects or people;
Can you fit the toy into the box?
This man can't fit himself into our work environment
Fit
Be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics;
The two stories don't agree in many details
The handwriting checks with the signature on the check
The suspect's fingerprints don't match those on the gun
Fit
Conform to some shape or size;
How does this shirt fit?
Fit
Provide with (something) usually for a specific purpose;
The expedition was equipped with proper clothing, food, and other necessities
Fit
Make correspond or harmonize;
Match my sweater
Fit
Meeting adequate standards for a purpose;
A fit subject for discussion
It is fit and proper that you be there
Water fit to drink
Fit for duty
Do as you see fit to
Fit
(usually followed by `to' or `for') on the point of or strongly disposed;
In no fit state to continue
Fit to drop
Laughing fit to burst
She was fit to scream
Primed for a fight
We are set to go at any time
Fit
Physically and mentally sound or healthy;
Felt relaxed and fit after their holiday
Keeps fit with diet and exercise
Common Curiosities
Is being fit the same as being healthy?
Being fit usually refers to physical health and readiness, while being healthy encompasses physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
Can "fit" and "fitness" overlap in meaning?
Yes, particularly when "fit" is used to describe someone's physical health or condition.
What does it mean to be "fit" in a health sense?
Being in good health, often implying physical readiness for activities without undue fatigue.
How is fitness measured?
Through criteria like cardiovascular endurance, muscle strength, flexibility, and body composition.
Can someone be fit but not athletic?
Yes, being fit means having the physical capacity for activities; it doesn't necessarily mean excelling in sports or athletic competitions.
Does "fit" always imply physical attributes?
No, "fit" can also refer to suitability in non-physical contexts, like personality fit in social or work environments.
How important is flexibility in fitness?
Flexibility is essential for a full range of motion in exercises and reducing the risk of injuries, making it a key component of fitness.
How does one improve their fitness?
Through regular physical activity, proper nutrition, adequate rest, and managing stress effectively.
Can fitness affect mental health?
Yes, regular physical activity is known to improve mood, reduce anxiety, and enhance overall mental well-being.
What role does diet play in fitness?
A balanced diet provides the necessary nutrients and energy for physical activity and recovery, crucial for maintaining fitness.
How does fitness influence daily life?
Improved fitness can lead to better energy levels, enhanced task performance, and a lower risk of chronic diseases.
How do professionals assess fitness?
Through physical assessments, health screenings, and evaluating performance in various exercises.
Can fitness levels change over time?
Yes, fitness levels can improve with regular exercise and proper nutrition or decline due to inactivity and poor lifestyle choices.
Is there a universal standard for being "fit"?
Standards can vary based on age, gender, and personal health goals, but generally include measures of endurance, strength, and flexibility.
Why might someone prioritize fitness?
To improve health, enhance quality of life, reduce the risk of disease, and achieve personal physical goals.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
