small
of limited size; of comparatively restricted dimensions; not big; little: a small box.
slender, thin, or narrow: a small waist.
not large as compared with others of the same kind: a small elephant.
(of letters) lowercase (def. 1).
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.
humble, modest, or unpretentious: small circumstances.
characterized by or indicative of littleness of mind or character; mean-spirited; petty: a small, miserly man.
of little strength or force: a small effort.
(of sound or the voice) gentle; with little volume.
very young: when I was a small boy.
diluted; weak.
in a small manner: They talked big but lived small.
into small pieces: Slice the cake small.
in low tones; softly.
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.
smalls, British.
household linen, as napkins, pillowcases, etc.
smalls, British Informal. the responsions at Oxford University.
smalls, Mining. coal, ore, gangue, etc., in fine particles.
Idioms about small
feel small, to be ashamed or mortified: Her unselfishness made me feel small.
Origin of small
1synonym study For small
Other words for small
Opposites for small
Other words from small
- smallness, noun
- ul·tra·small, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use small in a sentence
Estee Lauder has not crumbled to dust because the perfect brown face of Joan Smalls represents it.
One Vogue Cover Doesn’t Solve Fashion’s Big Race Problem | Danielle Belton | January 2, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTLarge asteroids are worth 20 points, mediums are worth 50, and smalls are worth 100.
Elsie Clark knows there was been talk of naming a Brooklyn street after the rapper Biggie Smalls.
Model Joan Smalls is the kind of stunner who boasts a strong appeal.
Then the Jewel Lady, bearing a massive crystal necklace, lassos Smalls.
A few hours later we were getting in our cargo, and soon the Jenny was loaded almost to the waterline with smalls.
Dry Fish and Wet | Anthon Bernhard Elias NilsenTurning his head, Wegg beheld his persecutor, the ever-wakeful dustman, accoutred with fantail hat and velveteen smalls complete.
Our Mutual Friend | Charles DickensBy the time Mr. Smalls had re-appeared with the kettle, Mr. Filcher had thought it prudent to answer his master's summons.
This was my first view of Oxford; by passing the certificate I didn't need to go up for smalls.
The Loom of Youth | Alec WaughOh, the Thompsons won every cup until the Smalls arrived on a Monday; then 'twas a dead heat.
Cape Cod Stories | Joseph C. Lincoln
British Dictionary definitions for small
/ (smɔːl) /
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 (def. 13) 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
into small pieces: you have to cut it small
in a small or soft manner
feel small to be humiliated or inferior
the small 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
(plural) informal, mainly British items of personal laundry, such as underwear
Origin of small
1Derived forms of small
- smallish, adjective
- smallness, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with small
In addition to the idioms beginning with small
- small beer
- small cog in a large wheel
- small frog in a big pond
- small fry
- small hours
- small print
- small talk
- small time
- small wonder
also see:
- big fish in a small pond
- (small) cog in the wheel
- give thanks for small blessings
- it's a small world
- little (small) frog in a big pond
- make a (small) fortune
- no (small) wonder
- still small voice
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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