tiny

adjective

ti·​ny ˈtī-nē 

tinier; tiniest

: very small or diminutive : minute

tinily

ˈtī-nə-lē 

adverb

tininess

ˈtī-nē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms of tiny

• minuscule
• microscopic
• miniature
• small

Choose the Right Synonym for tiny

small, little, diminutive, minute, tiny, miniature mean noticeably below average in size.

small and little are often interchangeable, but small applies more to relative size determined by capacity, value, number.

a relatively small backyard

little is more absolute in implication often carrying the idea of petiteness, pettiness, insignificance, or immaturity.

your pathetic little smile

diminutive implies abnormal smallness.

diminutive bonsai plants

minute implies extreme smallness.

a minute amount of caffeine in the soda

tiny is an informal equivalent to minute.

tiny cracks formed in the painting

miniature applies to an exactly proportioned reproduction on a very small scale.

a dollhouse with miniature furnishings

Examples of tiny in a Sentence

The computer chips were tiny.

He's from a tiny town that you've probably never heard of.

There's just one tiny little problem.

Aren't you even a tiny bit scared?

Recent Examples on the Web

Each whisker is packed with sensitive nerve endings at its base that detect tiny deflections, vibrations, and pressure changes when brushing against surfaces. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 18 Sep. 2026

Fitbit Charge Fitness Tracker Deal The Fitbit Charge 6 keeps things focused on actual fitness tracking without trying to become a tiny phone on your wrist. — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 18 Sep. 2026

Baseball fans have long marveled at how the Dominican Republic, a tiny island nation with a population akin to Ohio, has produced so many brilliant players — roughly 10% of the major league. — Tracy Weber, ProPublica, 18 Sep. 2026

The Knicks captain’s daughter, Jordyn, hit the runway in a tiny Knicks jersey—dad’s number 11, awww—festooned with feathers, a white bow headband, and a pair of little blue-and-white sneakers. — Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 18 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

alteration of Middle English tine

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing tiny

• tiny house

Rhymes for tiny

• briny
• piney
• shiny
• spiny
• sunshiny

Kids Definition

tiny

adjective

ti·​ny ˈtī-nē 

tinier; tiniest

: very small : minute

tininess noun