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Fit, suit, or match
Fit is about size and shape, suit is about looking good on someone or being convenient, and match is about two things going together.
Quick rule
Size, shape, or space? Fit. Looks good on you or works for you? Suit. Goes with or equals something else? Match.
To be the right size or shape, or to have enough space: These jeans don't fit. The desk won't fit here.
To look good on someone, or to be convenient or right for them: Blue suits you. Does Monday suit you?
To go well with something else, or to be the same or very similar: Your shoes match your bag.
How to choose
| Question | fit | suit | match |
|---|---|---|---|
| Is it about size, shape, or space? | Yes | No | No |
| Is it about how something looks on someone, or whether it works for them? | No | Yes | No |
| Does it compare two things that go together or are the same? | SometimesSometimes | SometimesSometimes | Yes |
Why it trips people up
All three are about things being right, but for different reasons. Fit is physical: size, shape, space. Suit asks whether something is right for a person, a place, or a situation. Match compares two things with each other.
How each one works
Fit
Size
These shoes don't fit. They're too small.
Having enough space
Will the sofa fit through the door?
The right shape for something
This lid doesn't fit the jar.
Suit
Looks good on you
That color really suits you.
Convenient: times
Does Friday at ten suit you?
Right for someone
City life doesn't suit him.
Match
Being the same: a pair
Your gloves don't match.
Going together
The curtains match the sofa.
Agreeing: facts or stories
His story doesn't match what the witness said.
What comes next
thing plus fit plus person
The jacket fits me perfectly.
fit plus in/into/through plus place
All my clothes fit in one suitcase.
thing plus suit plus person
Short hair suits her.
whenever / whatever plus suits plus person
We can meet whenever suits you.
A plus match plus B
The tie matches his shirt.
A and B plus match
These two signatures don't match.
Set phrases
Fit
- fit like a glove
- to be exactly the right size or shape
- fit the bill
- to be exactly what is needed
Suit
- suit yourself
- to do exactly what you want
Match
- mix and match
- to combine things in different ways
Almost the same
The dress fits her.
It is the right size: not tight, not loose.
The dress suits her.
She looks good in it: the color or style flatters her.
The dress matches her shoes.
It is compared with something else: they go together.
In a conversation
- A:
Do these jeans fit?
- B:
Yes, but I'm not sure the color suits me.
- A:
Try the dark ones. They match your jacket.
- B:
Perfect. I'll take them.
Common mistakes
Wrong: This job fits people who like to travel.
Right: This job suits people who like to travel.
When something is right for a type of person, use suit. Fit is about size or shape.
Wrong: The fingerprints suit the ones at the crime scene.
Right: The fingerprints match the ones at the crime scene.
When two things are the same or nearly the same, use match.
Memory trick
Fit is measured with a tape. Suit is judged in the mirror or the calendar. Match needs two things side by side.
It depends
- Past tense of fit
- In American English the past is usually fit (It fit perfectly); British English uses fitted.
- No progressive
- Fit and suit in these senses aren't used in the progressive: Blue suits you, not Blue is suiting you.
FAQ
Fit or suit: what's the difference?
Fit is about size and shape (The coat fits). Suit is about whether it flatters you or works for you (The coat suits you).
Suit or match: what's the difference?
Suit says something is right for a person or a place (Green suits you). Match says two things are the same or go together (The green scarf matches your coat).