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

Starters averaged barely five innings a start this year, a number that typically decreases in the playoffs, when managers are quick to remove pitchers at the slightest glimpse of trouble.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"It's an extremely slight agreement for the president of the United States to be presiding over," posted Sebastian Strangio, author and South East Asia Editor for the Diplomat magazine.

Read more on BBC

But his friends have called him out over a slight Queensland twang to his accent.

Read more on BBC

The touted benefits—like improved scratch and stain resistance—mean little since stainless steel is already durable, but titanium can offer slight nonstick advantages when it is textured and used with a little oil.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

He has shown not the slightest sign of this.

Read more on MarketWatch

Related Words

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