slight

American  

[slahyt] / slaɪt /

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

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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 British  

/ 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

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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

slight Idioms  

1. see in the least (slightest).

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Related Words

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.

Other Word Forms

• overslight adjective
• slighter noun
• slightly adverb
• slightness noun

Etymology

Origin of slight

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”

Example Sentences

"He will also have a slight advantage in terms of understanding and relationships with the players in the current squad."

From BBC

“There might be a slight adjustment early in the game, but I feel like our guys will be ready to go and the experience within our group will help us there as well,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

This leak stabilized the pressure build-up, but it appears the area has seen a slight but steady ground uplift in recent months.

From The Wall Street Journal

Yet beyond warming up these generally chilly proceedings it doesn’t add up to much, ultimately feeling too slight to offer a fulfilling resolution.

From The Wall Street Journal

There has been a slight uptick this season and he remains the team's leading receiver, but Kelce has registered just one reception in two of the past three games.

From BBC

Related Words

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