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

Her first memories of Christmas are as a child in the town of Lviv where she would have to mend her own shoes and go house to house singing Christmas carols to earn small change.

From BBC • Dec. 6, 2025

“And when prices assume almost flawless execution and very cheap money ahead, even a small change in the story hits valuations hard.”

From Barron's • Nov. 14, 2025

"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

Crossing the 150 line is a small change that can make a big difference.

From "The Tipping Point" by Malcolm Gladwell