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

There was also a slight dent in the unemployment rate, from 4.4 percent to 4.3 percent.

From Slate • Apr. 3, 2026

There was a slight decrease in 2023 with 124 cases, but the number picked back up in 2024.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

Businesses expected the prices they charge to rise by 3.5% over the coming 12 months, a slight increase from the 3.4% recorded in February.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

"Things like water and medicines are essential commodities and even a slight decline in supply can have major consequences," he adds.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026

“Toodles,” Anna May said flatly, with a slight roll of her eyes, after Eleanor was well out the door.

From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu

Related Words

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