insignificant
Americanadjective
-
unimportant, trifling, or petty.
Omit the insignificant details.
-
too small to be important.
an insignificant sum.
-
of no consequence, influence, or distinction.
a minor, insignificant bureaucrat.
-
without weight of character; contemptible.
an insignificant fellow.
-
without meaning; meaningless.
insignificant sounds.
noun
adjective
-
having little or no importance; trifling
-
almost or relatively meaningless
-
small or inadequate
an insignificant wage
-
not distinctive in character, etc
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of insignificant
First recorded in 1620–30; in- 3 + significant
Explanation
When something is insignificant, it doesn't matter. The fact that your mom gets to school a half hour late becomes insignificant when she announces you're stopping for ice cream on the way home. The word signify, which is at the heart of insignificant, means "to mean." Significant means "meaningful." Add in- "not," and you have "not meaningful." A company can fire a worker from an insignificant job and still function. In a crisis, your feelings are insignificant; it is your actions that matter.
Vocabulary lists containing insignificant
In the Mood? 100 Words to Describe Emotions
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The Alchemist
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Secret Life of Bees
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
An executor’s duties are not insignificant, and they come with legal jeopardy, so your friend’s ask is a big one.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 28, 2026
"For us, that day was as insignificant as possible," Courtney told the BBC.
From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2026
Although it is the beloved destination of my dog’s morning walks, its insignificant size and awkward location just off Olympic Boulevard didn’t seem appropriate for such a coveted event.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 13, 2026
You can find lots of inspirational quotes reminding you that 40 is just the beginning, but that framing is false, and diminishes our not insignificant life experience.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 12, 2026
It’s a small moment, insignificant in the end.
From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama
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.
