fit in: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
HighInformal to neutral
Quick answer
What does “fit in” mean?
To be socially compatible or accepted by a group.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To be socially compatible or accepted by a group; to conform or belong.
To find a place or time for someone or something; to schedule or accommodate.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major syntactic or semantic differences. 'Fit in' is equally common in both dialects.
Connotations
Neutral in both; slightly negative if implying excessive conformity.
Frequency
Equally high frequency in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “fit in” in a Sentence
[Subject] fit in (with [group])[Subject] fit [object] in (to [schedule])Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “fit in” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He never really fitted in at his posh new school.
- The dentist can fit you in at half two.
American English
- She never really fit in with the corporate culture.
- Can the mechanic fit me in this afternoon?
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
"We need to fit in the client call before the board meeting." (Scheduling)
Academic
"The new theory doesn't fit in with established paradigms."
Everyday
"He moved schools but found it hard to fit in at first."
Technical
Rarely used in technical contexts.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “fit in”
- Using 'fit into' interchangeably (more physical). '*He fits in the box' vs. 'He fits into the box'.
- Confusing 'fit in' (social/scheduling) with 'fit' (be the right size).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Fit in' is primarily for social belonging or scheduling. 'Fit into' is more literal for physical insertion (fit into a dress) or metaphorical categorization (fit into a genre).
It is neutral to informal. In very formal writing, alternatives like 'integrate' or 'accommodate' might be preferred.
Yes, especially in the scheduling sense: 'Can you fit John in?' In the social sense, it's usually not separated ('He fits in well').
Both 'fitted in' (more common in UK) and 'fit in' (more common in US) are acceptable for the past simple and past participle.
To be socially compatible or accepted by a group.
Fit in: in British English it is pronounced /ˈfɪt ɪn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈfɪt ɪn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Square peg in a round hole (antonymic concept)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a puzzle piece smoothly sliding INTO a puzzle—it FITS IN perfectly.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIAL ACCEPTANCE IS PHYSICAL CONTAINMENT / SCHEDULING IS SPATIAL ACCOMMODATION.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'fit in' CORRECTLY in its scheduling sense?