LATIN DICTIONARYLexicon Latīnum
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“fit, fitting” in Latin

Riddle & Arnold A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon, 1864

fit, fitting
idoneus: aptus (idoneus denotes a passive, aptus an active fitness for anything; or the idoneus is fitted by his qualifications, and, through outward circumstances, for any particular destination, like the ἐπιτήδειος; the aptus, by his worth and adequacy, like ἱκανός. The idoneus is in himself inactive, and suffers himself to be employed for a particular purpose, for which he is qualified; the aptus himself engages in the business, because he is adequate to it; Döderlein): habilis, appositus, conveniens, for anything, ad aliquid, less commonly (never after appositus) by the simple dative. If these words are followed by a verbal proposition, then the relative pronoun is used with a subjunctive: bonus, for anything, alicui rei or ad aliquid (in Liv., and Tac., not in Cic., or Caes.): opportunus ad aliquid (conveniently situated, of places, etc). To make or render fit for anything, aptare ad aliquid: to make one’s self fit for anything, se parare or aptare ad aliquid; se accommodare ad aliquid; se exercere ad aliquid. To be fit for, decere (to be becoming; to become it); aptum esse alicui or alicui rei, or ad aliquid: accommodatum esse alicui rei or ad aliquid (to be adapted for it); convenire alicui or alicui rei, or cum aliqua re; congruere alicui rei or cum aliqua re (to be agreeable to its nature, etc.). To be fit, decere aliquem (to be suitable to, or becoming anyone): it is fit, decet or convenit, that, etc., by an accusative and infinitive (it is suitable. On convenit, Vid: Benecke, Cic., Cat., 1, 2, 4); oportet, followed by an accusative and infinitive (it ought, is necessary on reasonable grounds, and according to the laws of justice and equity): not to be fit for anything, non decere, etc.; also abhorrere ab aliqua re; ab aliqua re dissentire: ☞ congruus is unclassical; congruens is good Latin. In a fit manner; Vid: FITLY.

Quick answer

What is the Latin word for fit, fitting?
The usual Latin words for “fit, fitting” are idōneus, aptus, habilis; also appōnō, conveniō, bonus. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

Entry from J. E. Riddle & T. K. Arnold, A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon (rev. C. Anthon, New York: Harper, 1864), digitised by Fergus J. P. Walsh, CC BY-SA 4.0; Latin markup adapted by latindictionary.co.