small
Americanadjective
-
of limited size; of comparatively restricted dimensions; not big; little.
a small box.
- Synonyms:
- tiny
-
slender, thin, or narrow.
a small waist.
- Synonyms:
- slight
-
not large as compared with others of the same kind.
a small elephant.
-
(of letters) lowercase.
-
not great in amount, degree, extent, duration, value, etc..
a small salary.
-
not great numerically.
a small army.
-
of low numerical value; denoted by a low number.
-
having but little land, capital, power, influence, etc., or carrying on business or some activity on a limited scale.
a small enterprise.
-
of minor importance, moment, weight, or consequence.
a small problem.
- Synonyms:
- insignificant, paltry, inconsequential, nugatory, secondary, minor, unimportant, petty, trifling
-
humble, modest, or unpretentious.
small circumstances.
-
characterized by or indicative of littleness of mind or character; mean-spirited; petty.
a small, miserly man.
- Synonyms:
- narrow, selfish, mean, narrow-minded, small-minded
-
of little strength or force.
a small effort.
- Synonyms:
- feeble
-
(of sound or the voice) gentle; with little volume.
-
very young.
when I was a small boy.
-
diluted; weak.
adverb
-
in a small manner.
They talked big but lived small.
-
into small pieces.
Slice the cake small.
-
in low tones; softly.
noun
-
something that is small.
Do you prefer the small or the large?
-
a small or narrow part, as of the back.
-
those who are small.
Democracy benefits the great and the small.
-
smalls, small goods or products.
-
British. smalls,
-
household linen, as napkins, pillowcases, etc.
-
British Informal. smalls, the responsions at Oxford University.
-
Mining. smalls, coal, ore, gangue, etc., in fine particles.
idioms
adjective
-
comparatively little; limited in size, number, importance, etc
-
of little importance or on a minor scale
a small business
-
lacking in moral or mental breadth or depth
a small mind
-
modest or humble
small beginnings
-
of low or inferior status, esp socially
-
(of a child or animal) young; not mature
-
unimportant, trivial
a small matter
-
not outstanding
a small actor
-
of, relating to, or designating the ordinary modern minuscule letter used in printing and cursive writing Compare capital 1 See also lower case
-
lacking great strength or force
a small effort
-
in fine particles
small gravel
-
obsolete (of beer, etc) of low alcoholic strength
adverb
-
into small pieces
you have to cut it small
-
in a small or soft manner
-
to be humiliated or inferior
noun
-
an object, person, or group considered to be small
do you want the small or the large?
-
a small slender part, esp of the back
-
informal (plural) items of personal laundry, such as underwear
Usage
What is a basic definition of small? Small is an adjective that describes something as little or not of large size. Small can also describe something as being low in number or amount. Small has many other senses as an adjective, adverb, and noun and is used in several idioms.If something or someone is small, they are little or diminutive. They are physically short or take up a low amount of physical space. Small can also describe something as being less big than other similar things. For example, a pony is a small horse. The noun form of this sense of small is smallness.
- Real-life examples: Chihuahuas are small dogs. Ants are small animals. A dime is a small coin.
- Used in a sentence: The letters were too small to read.
- Real-life examples: A group of 100 soldiers is a very small army. A town that only has 30 people living in it has a small population.
- Used in a sentence: I started my business with a small team of trusted friends.
- Used in a sentence: She won a few small bets before betting it all and winning the jackpot.
Related Words
See little. Smaller, less indicate a diminution, or not so large a size or quantity in some respect. Smaller, as applied to concrete objects, is used with reference to size: smaller apples. Less is used of material in bulk, with reference to amount, and in cases where attributes such as value and degree are in question: A nickel is less than a dime (in value). A sergeant is less than a lieutenant (in rank). As an abstraction, amount may be either smaller or less, though smaller is usually used when the idea of size is suggested: a smaller opportunity. Less is used when the idea of quantity is present: less courage.
Other Word Forms
- smallish adjective
- smallness noun
- ultrasmall adjective
Etymology
Origin of small
First recorded before 900; Middle English smale, Old English smæl; cognate with Dutch smal, German schmal
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Business technology leaders say smaller firms don’t encounter the same level of human, regulatory and legal complexities as they do, and can more easily vibe-code CRM or ERP software to suit their needs.
I’m wanting to explore smaller, intimate groups to build community with people who I share similar values with.
From Los Angeles Times
I have an issue that, while affecting only a small group of people, might illustrate broader concerns around required minimum distributions, rollovers and retirement planning.
From MarketWatch
Carlos worked for 25 years at a small adhesive company, where he became plant manager.
A small school in the Scottish Borders where pupil numbers fell to just one could be closed for good.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
