insignificant

[ in-sig-nif-i-kuhnt ]

adjective

1. unimportant, trifling, or petty:

   Omit the insignificant details.

2. too small to be important:

   an insignificant sum.

   Synonyms: picayune, minuscule, minute, trifling

3. of no consequence, influence, or distinction:

   a minor, insignificant bureaucrat.

4. without weight of character; contemptible:

   an insignificant fellow.

5. without meaning; meaningless:

   insignificant sounds.

noun

1. a word, thing, or person without significance.

insignificant

/ ˌɪnsɪɡˈnɪfɪkənt /

adjective

1. having little or no importance; trifling
2. almost or relatively meaningless
3. small or inadequate

   an insignificant wage

4. not distinctive in character, etc

Derived Forms

• ˌinsigˈnificantly, adverb
• ˌinsigˈnificance, noun

Other Words From

• insig·nifi·cant·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of insignificant¹

First recorded in 1620–30; in- ³ + significant

Example Sentences

That said, the step taken Wednesday was not an insignificant one.

From Voice of San Diego

As viruses course through a population, they inevitably mutate, although most such genetic changes are functionally insignificant.

From Washington Post

While not insignificant, these advancements still fall into the “baby steps” category.

From Singularity Hub 

Proponents of this move say that while the positive effect of remdesivir may be small, it is not insignificant, and that incremental improvements are vital in fighting this virus.

From Popular-Science

However, Brown said removing news articles from Facebook in Australia would be “insignificant” to its business because they are a small fraction of what users see.

From Fortune

“He was an absolutely gray and insignificant personality,” says Kurnosova.

From The Daily Beast

In fact, most of the false rumors they tracked on Twitter showed low to insignificant propagation.

From The Daily Beast

Whatever irregularities occurred were accidental and insignificant.

From The Daily Beast

And Pippa Middleton's bridesmaid dress was meant to be "insignificant."

From The Daily Beast

Maliki—no Thomas Jefferson to begin with—was not about to risk his political life over such an insignificant contingent.

From The Daily Beast

Think of the immeasurable wealth of a Providence who could create such a wonder for just two insignificant human beings.

From Project Gutenberg

Today we did not proceed further than Mendoza (twelve miles), a still more insignificant place than St. Anna.

From Project Gutenberg

These maps were prepared for cyclists, and many of the hills seem insignificant to a powerful motor.

From Project Gutenberg

Douglas got clear with but insignificant loss, and, collecting his men by a prearranged note of his horn, he returned to camp.

From Project Gutenberg

What earnest attention is given to every detail, no matter how insignificant, which goes to make up the general effect!

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• inconsequential
• infinitesimal
• irrelevant
• meager
• meaningless
• minimal
• minor
• minuscule
• negligible
• paltry
• pointless
• senseless
• trivial
• unimportant