XL
Abbreviation with 3 meanings
| Stands for | Extra large |
|---|---|
| Meanings | 3 |
| Categories | Writing & Everyday, Medical, Transportation & Travel |
XL has three meanings. The most common are Extra large (classified ad) and Extended length (pharmacy); it can also stand for Extra load.
Meanings of XL at a glance
| # | XL stands for | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Extra large | Writing & Everyday › Classified Ad |
| 2 | Extended length | Medical › Pharmacy |
| 3 | Extra load | Transportation & Travel › Automotive |
1. Extra large
Writing & Everyday · Classified Ad Abbreviations
Denotes the size above L (large) in standard letter sizing for clothing, and is also used for oversized products such as XL pizzas, beds and bags.
Example: Men's fleece jacket size XL, navy, worn one season, $25.
Larger sizes continue as XXL (2XL), XXXL (3XL) and beyond. Mattresses use "twin XL" for a twin bed five inches longer than standard, common in college dorms. In Roman numerals XL means 40, which can confuse readers in other contexts.
2. Extended length
Medical · Pharmacy Abbreviations
Suffix on once-daily extended-release brands such as Wellbutrin XL, Toprol-XL, Procardia XL and Ditropan XL. The letters signal a longer-lasting version of an existing drug.
Example: Metoprolol succinate (Toprol-XL) 50 mg daily; do not crush, may split.
Toprol-XL is an exception to the usual rule: its scored tablets may be split because the drug is in many small coated pellets, though they must not be crushed or chewed. Metoprolol succinate XL and metoprolol tartrate are different salts with different dosing schedules, a common source of errors.
3. Extra load
Transportation & Travel · Automotive Abbreviations
Tire marking indicating a reinforced passenger tire that can carry more weight at a higher inflation pressure than a standard-load tire of the same size. XL tires are common on heavier SUVs and electric vehicles.
Example: EVs are heavy, so the shop recommended XL tires for the Model Y.
Also marked "Reinforced" or "RF" in some markets. XL tires need the correct inflation pressure to reach their extra load capacity. The letters are best known as the clothing size "extra large."
Related abbreviations
More classified ad abbreviations
- A/C – Air conditioning
- auto. – Automatic transmission
- avail. – Available
- BA – Bathroom
- BIN – Buy It Now
- BR – Bedroom
- bsmt – Basement
- C/A – Central air
See all 70 classified ad abbreviations →
More pharmacy abbreviations
- 1/2NS – Half-normal saline
- AB – Therapeutically equivalent rating (Orange Book code)
- ADC – Automated dispensing cabinet
- ADF – Abuse-deterrent formulation
- AHFS – American Hospital Formulary Service
- amp – Ampule
- ANDA – Abbreviated New Drug Application
- APhA – American Pharmacists Association
See all 134 pharmacy abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.