small change

American  

noun

1. coins of small denomination.

2. someone or something insignificant or trifling.

   Those people are small change.

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small change British  

noun

1. coins, esp those of low value

2. a person or thing that is not outstanding or important

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Etymology

Origin of small change

First recorded in 1810–20

Example Sentences

That’s not small change for JPMorgan, which is the largest U.S. bank, with a market capitalization of $780.7 billion.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026

It’s a small change for now, but one that could one day upend traditional stock trading.

From Barron's • Mar. 31, 2026

"It's a small change per hour, but when screen time accumulates to three, five or even six hours a day, as we saw in many adolescents, that adds up," he said.

From Science Daily • Nov. 1, 2025

The first vote of the committee’s two-day meeting represents a relatively small change to current immunization practices.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 18, 2025

The sea clinked like small change in a pocket.

From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel