small time

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See synonyms for small time on Thesaurus.com

noun (in vaudeville)

a circuit of minor theaters giving three or more shows daily.

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Origin of small time

An Americanism dating back to 1920–25

Words nearby small time

small solar system body, small stores, small stuff, smallsword, small talk, small time, small-town, small white, small wonder, smalt, smaltite

Other definitions for small time (2 of 2)

small-time

[ smawl-tahym ]

/ ˈsmɔlˈtaɪm /

adjective

of modest or insignificant size, importance, or influence: a small-time politician.

Origin of small-time

First recorded in 1910–15

OTHER WORDS FROM small-time

small-timer, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use small time in a sentence

Then “the transport of an air parcel is calculated for small time steps, one after each other,” he says.
From icebergs to smoke, forecasting where dangers will drift|Rachel Crowell|December 16, 2021|Science News For Students
Since the 1950s, fluoride has adapted itself to the prevailing concerns of the time.
Anti-Fluoriders Are The OG Anti-Vaxxers|Michael Schulson|July 27, 2016|DAILY BEAST
Something like fluoride, which is too small for normal filters, yanks away that feeling of agency.
Anti-Fluoriders Are The OG Anti-Vaxxers|Michael Schulson|July 27, 2016|DAILY BEAST
But give the Kingdom credit for its sense of mercy: The lashes will be administered only 50 at a time.
In Defense of Blasphemy|Michael Tomasky|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST

And yes, someone has already called Spencer a “Small Fry,” har har.
Freaking Out About Age Gaps in Gay Relationships Is Homophobic|Samantha Allen|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
“I think for trans men who are dating every time they hook up they have another coming out,” Sandler said.
Grindr’s Trans Dating Problem|David Levesley|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
It ended on a complaint that she was 'tired rather and spending my time at full length on a deck-chair in the garden.'
The Wave|Algernon Blackwood
The Duchess had also a tent for their sick men; so that we had a small town of our own here, and every body employed.
The Life and Most Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, of York, Mariner (1801)|Daniel Defoe
Suddenly, however, he became aware of a small black spot far ahead in the very middle of the unencumbered track.
The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol|William J. Locke
The vision—it had been an instantaneous flash after all and nothing more—had left his mind completely for the time.
The Wave|Algernon Blackwood
About this time the famous Philippine painter, Juan Luna (vide p. 195), was released after six monthsʼ imprisonment as a suspect.
The Philippine Islands|John Foreman

British Dictionary definitions for small time

small-time

adjective

informal insignificant; minora small-time criminal

Derived forms of small-time

small-timer, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with small time

small time

A modest or minor level of achievement, as in Her success took her out of the small time to prime-time television. This expression was originally used in vaudeville for second-rate theaters and productions. [Early 1900s] Also see big time, def. 2.

small time

Origin of small time

Words nearby small time

Other definitions for small time (2 of 2)

Origin of small-time

OTHER WORDS FROM small-time

Words related to small time

How to use small time in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for small time

Derived forms of small-time

Other Idioms and Phrases with small time