small
of limited size; of comparatively restricted dimensions; not big; little: a small box.
slender, thin, or narrow: a small waist.
not large as compared with others of the same kind: a small elephant.
(of letters) lowercase (def. 1).
not great in amount, degree, extent, duration, value, etc.: a small salary.
not great numerically: a small army.
of low numerical value; denoted by a low number.
having but little land, capital, power, influence, etc., or carrying on business or some activity on a limited scale: a small enterprise.
of minor importance, moment, weight, or consequence: a small problem.
humble, modest, or unpretentious: small circumstances.
characterized by or indicative of littleness of mind or character; mean-spirited; petty: a small, miserly man.
of little strength or force: a small effort.
(of sound or the voice) gentle; with little volume.
very young: when I was a small boy.
diluted; weak.
in a small manner: They talked big but lived small.
into small pieces: Slice the cake small.
in low tones; softly.
something that is small: Do you prefer the small or the large?
a small or narrow part, as of the back.
those who are small: Democracy benefits the great and the small.
smalls, small goods or products.
smalls, British.
household linen, as napkins, pillowcases, etc.
smalls, British Informal. the responsions at Oxford University.
smalls, Mining. coal, ore, gangue, etc., in fine particles.
Idioms about small
feel small, to be ashamed or mortified: Her unselfishness made me feel small.
Origin of small
1synonym study For small
Other words for small
Opposites for small
Other words from small
- smallness, noun
- ul·tra·small, adjective
Words Nearby small
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use small in a sentence
According to Grady of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, well-placed donations to smaller organizations can have exponential impacts.
Can Billionaires Really Save Us from Climate Disaster? | Heather Hansman | February 12, 2021 | Outside OnlineBefore I discard the plastic, I cut it up into tiny pieces so that small animals do not get caught in them and they don't try to eat them.
Hints From Heloise: New scam tied to coronavirus pandemic | Heloise Heloise | February 12, 2021 | Washington PostOver small plates, Renee talked about her love for food and Willie talked about his love for cooking.
Date Lab: One of our setups is still going strong two years later. We caught up with Willie and Renee for an update. | Marin Cogan | February 11, 2021 | Washington PostSo please think carefully before you demote small-talky situations to a priority below your laundry piles.
Carolyn Hax: No time for small talk? That’s building a big wall. | Carolyn Hax | February 11, 2021 | Washington PostCastor addressed a small crowd from the stage before Coach Bruce Arians and General Manager Jason Licht offered enthusiastic — and colorful — comments of their own.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrate Super Bowl LV victory in boat parade | Cindy Boren, Glynn A. Hill | February 10, 2021 | Washington Post
Something like fluoride, which is too small for normal filters, yanks away that feeling of agency.
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 | THE DAILY BEASTIt was seen by a small delegation of star-struck prelates and dignitaries who later described the film as “moving.”
Pope Francis Has the Pleasure of Meeting Angelina Jolie for a Few Seconds | Barbie Latza Nadeau | January 8, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTThe judges who handle arraignments at criminal court in all five boroughs have a small fraction of their usual caseloads.
Inside the guild, men in caps and long gowns sit in twos, weaving together in small rooms.
The Photographer Who Gave Up Manhattan for Marrakech | Liza Foreman | January 6, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTThe Duchess had also a tent for their sick men; so that we had a small town of our own here, and every body employed.
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. LockeHe is perplexed and hindered by the lack of soldiers, but is doing his best with his small forces.
A small book, bound in full purple calf, lay half hidden in a nest of fine tissue paper on the dressing-table.
Hilda Lessways | Arnold BennettBefore the outlaw can comply with this small request the horn sounds again.
Physiology of The Opera | John H. Swaby (AKA "Scrici")
British Dictionary definitions for small
/ (smɔːl) /
comparatively little; limited in size, number, importance, etc
of little importance or on a minor scale: a small business
lacking in moral or mental breadth or depth: a small mind
modest or humble: small beginnings
of low or inferior status, esp socially
(of a child or animal) young; not mature
unimportant, trivial: a small matter
not outstanding: a small actor
of, relating to, or designating the ordinary modern minuscule letter used in printing and cursive writing: Compare capital 1 (def. 13) See also lower case
lacking great strength or force: a small effort
in fine particles: small gravel
obsolete (of beer, etc) of low alcoholic strength
into small pieces: you have to cut it small
in a small or soft manner
feel small to be humiliated or inferior
the small an object, person, or group considered to be small: do you want the small or the large?
a small slender part, esp of the back
(plural) informal, mainly British items of personal laundry, such as underwear
Origin of small
1Derived forms of small
- smallish, adjective
- smallness, 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
In addition to the idioms beginning with small
- small beer
- small cog in a large wheel
- small frog in a big pond
- small fry
- small hours
- small print
- small talk
- small time
- small wonder
also see:
- big fish in a small pond
- (small) cog in the wheel
- give thanks for small blessings
- it's a small world
- little (small) frog in a big pond
- make a (small) fortune
- no (small) wonder
- still small voice
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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