small-time

[ smawl-tahym ]

/ ˈsmɔlˈtaɪm /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR small-time ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

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

Nearby words

small-minded, small-saver certificate, small-scale, small-scale integration, small-talk, small-time, small-town, smallage, smallboy, smallclothes, smallens

Origin of small-time

First recorded in 1910–15

Related forms

small-tim·er, noun

Definition for small-time (2 of 2)

small time

noun (in vaudeville)

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

Origin of small time

An Americanism dating back to 1920–25

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for small-time

Last August, a small-time classic rock cover band performed at a bar called 69 Taps in Medina, outside Cleveland.
BMI Reminds Ohio Bar: Cover Songs Don’t Come for Free|Caitlin Dickson|March 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Did Christie Go Easy on a Sex Trafficker Just to Bust a Small-Time Pol?
The Best of the Beast, March 16-22||March 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It is simply the best portrait of small-time showbiz hustlers ever made.
Woody Allen’s Best & Worst Movies: ‘Annie Hall’ ‘Match Point’ & More (Video)|Malcolm Jones|July 26, 2013|DAILY BEAST
In that case, and not only due to our efforts, Dobbs lost his job on CNN and was moved over to small-time radio.
Southern Poverty Law Center: Right-Wing Hate Rises Along With Obama|Kevin Fallon|March 9, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Ken Diamondstone introduced himself as a small-time developer from Brooklyn.
‘The Gatekeepers,’ Brooklyn College BDS Forum: Week of Israel Debate|Gail Sheehy|February 8, 2013|DAILY BEAST
You may have a year of doing three or four shows a day on "small-time," as it is called, which is splendid experience for you.
The Art of Stage Dancing|Ned Wayburn
It's no job at all to run a bluff on a small-time crook like that.
The Brand of Silence|Harrington Strong
The old school spirit was okay for football games, and even for small-time wars, but he had never felt much of it.
Way of a Rebel|Walter M. Miller

British Dictionary definitions for small-time

small-time

adjective

informal insignificant; minora small-time criminal

Derived Forms

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

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

adjective

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RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of small-time

Related forms

Definition for small-time (2 of 2)

small time

noun (in vaudeville)

Origin of small time

Examples from the Web for small-time

British Dictionary definitions for small-time

small-time

adjective

Derived Forms

Idioms and Phrases with small-time

small time