slight

[slahyt]

adjective

slighter, slightest 

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

Other Word Forms

• slightness noun
• slighter noun
• slightly adverb
• overslight 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

Sun's testimony is a rare insight into the internal workings of the centres, as he was sold on between several when bosses realised that a slight physical disability limited his usefulness.

Read more on Barron's

It’s the crazy wall TV trope realized as a situational comedy, originating from a single pinpoint of Ron’s inability to let go of the smallest slights.

Read more on Salon

The Violence Against Women survey is the third since 2011, and found a slight decline -- with 83 percent of women questioned reporting violence in 2015.

Read more on Barron's

MAROON-X is so super-sensitive that it can measure the slightest wobble of a star and detect the exoplanets that caused it with high precision.

Read more on Space Scoop

After months of slight temperature shifts in the Pacific Ocean, La Niña has officially returned — the climate pattern that typically drives drought in Southern California.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• meager 
• minor 
• modest 
• negligible 
• slender 
• slim 
• superficial 
• trivial