small change
Americannoun
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coins of small denomination.
-
someone or something insignificant or trifling.
Those people are small change.
noun
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coins, esp those of low value
-
a person or thing that is not outstanding or important
Etymology
Origin of small change
First recorded in 1810–20
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Even a small change in mortgage rates can affect a buyer’s purchasing power.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 21, 2026
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
“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
But one small change makes the world spin differently in a billion ways for one family.
From "The Adoration of Jenna Fox" by Mary E. Pearson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
