slight

[ slahyt ]

adjective

, slight·er, slight·est.

1. small in amount, degree, etc.:

   a slight increase;

   a slight odor.

   Antonyms: considerable

2. of little importance, influence, etc.; trivial:

   a slight cut.

   Synonyms: paltry, trifling, insignificant

3. slender or slim; not heavily built.
4. frail; flimsy; delicate:

   a slight fabric.

   Synonyms: fragile, feeble, weak

5. of little substance or strength.

   Synonyms: inconsiderable, unsubstantial

verb (used with object)

1. to treat as of little importance.

   Synonyms: scorn, disdain

2. to treat (someone) with indifference; ignore, especially pointedly or contemptuously; snub:

   to be slighted by society.

3. to do negligently; scamp:

   to slight one's studies.

noun

1. an act or instance of slighting or being slighted:

   The critics’ slights led her to change direction in her work.

   Synonyms: inattention, disregard, neglect

2. a pointed and contemptuous discourtesy; affront:

   She considered not being invited an unforgivable slight.

slight

/ slaɪt /

adjective

1. small in quantity or extent
2. of small importance; trifling
3. slim and delicate
4. lacking in strength or substance
5. dialect.
   ill

verb

1. to show indifference or disregard for (someone); snub
2. to treat as unimportant or trifling
3. to devote inadequate attention to (work, duties, etc)

noun

1. an act or omission indicating supercilious neglect or indifference

Derived Forms

• ˈslightness, noun

Other Words From

• slight·er noun
• slight·ly adverb
• slight·ness noun
• o·ver·slight adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of slight¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English (adjective) “smooth, sleek, slender”; compare Old English -sliht- in eorth-slihtes “even with ground”; cognate with German schlicht, Old Norse slēttr, Gothic slaihts “smooth”

Word History and Origins

Origin of slight¹

C13: from Old Norse slēttr smooth; related to Old High German slehtr, Gothic slaihts, Middle Dutch slecht simple

Idioms and Phrases

see in the least (slightest) .

Synonym Study

See slender. Slight, disregard, neglect, overlook mean to pay no attention or too little attention to someone or something. To slight is to give only superficial attention to something important: to slight one's work. To disregard is to pay no attention to a person or thing: to disregard the rules; in some circumstances, to disregard may be admirable: to disregard a handicap. To neglect is to shirk paying sufficient attention to a person or thing: to neglect one's correspondence. To overlook is to fail to see someone or something (possibly because of carelessness): to overlook a bill that is due. See insult.

Example Sentences

Her slight miscalculation of how to fix the situation leads to her driving around the gas pump.

From The Daily Beast

Some cuts, a few slight character changes, an idea or two about putting some humor into the script.

From The Daily Beast

The traditional wisdom is “action is character,” and their evolution is one, with a slight edge to character.

From The Daily Beast

He had a tailor who ran up dozens of the same suit in different sizes to account for slight variations in his weight.

From The Daily Beast

Dawn was rising on November 24, 1964, and there was a slight fog but otherwise clear visibility.

From The Daily Beast

There was a slight shuddering movement of his whole frame—Bob was dead.

From Project Gutenberg

And he replied shortly, and with a slight charming affectation of pride: "I did without."

From Project Gutenberg

Its continued presence in pulmonary tuberculosis is, however, a grave prognostic sign, even when the physical signs are slight.

From Project Gutenberg

All that was necessary was a slight knowledge of a Cabinet Minister, and a smattering of schooling.

From Project Gutenberg

His slight, thin, rather graceless figure seemed suddenly to expand, even to grow taller.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• disparage
• scorn
• snub