small-scale
Americanadjective
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of limited extent; of small scope.
a small-scale enterprise.
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being a relatively small map, model, etc., of the original and, hence, showing relatively little detail.
adjective
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of limited size or scope
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(of a map, model, etc) giving a relatively small representation of something, usually missing out details
Etymology
Origin of small-scale
First recorded in 1850–55
Compare meaning
How does small-scale compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
Anything that's small-scale is minor or limited in some way, like your town's small-scale public art project, which includes only two modest statues. Your English class might require one long research paper, or several small-scale essays. And while your best friend's family throws enormous birthday parties with hired entertainment and catered food, your family may prefer quieter, small-scale celebrations. The antonym of small-scale is large-scale, and both words date from the early 17th century.
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.
Fitri Amit, a small-scale rice farmer in Perak region further south, was sceptical of the measures, which he said were often delayed, arriving only once farmers' "capital has already been drained".
From Barron's • May 8, 2026
They are also capable of running millions of small-scale experiments to determine which messages are most persuasive.
From Science Daily • Apr. 20, 2026
"Without small-scale opportunities, early career artists struggle to develop the skills and confidence required to scale up to larger stages," the venue warned, according to the report.
From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026
But across the island, small-scale farmers and cooperatives already operate as private entrepreneurs, growing food, managing their own production and selling to local markets, most of which have been privatized.
From Salon • Apr. 11, 2026
Bad seeing is produced by small-scale turbulence in the atmosphere above the telescope and is the reason the stars twinkle.
From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan
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.
