tiny

1 of 2

adjective

ti·​ny ˈtī-nē 

tinier; tiniest

: very small or diminutive : minute

tinily

ˈtī-nə-lē 

adverb

tininess

ˈtī-nē-nəs 

noun

tininess

2 of 2

noun

ti·​ni·​ness ˈtīnēnə̇s 

-īnin-

plural -es

: the quality or state of being tiny

Synonyms of tiny

Adjective

• 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

Adjective

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

Adjective

Bird flu is a real concern for the fate of the kākāpō because most of the population, totalling just 235, lives on one tiny island sanctuary that lies off the wild coast of Rakiura/Stewart Island. — Todd Symons, CNN Money, 22 July 2026

Other dogs have exquisitely sensitive stomachs — just a tiny bite of something weird leads to blowout diarrhea and vomiting. — Jane Sykes, Washington Post, 21 July 2026

Because researchers paint it directly onto the skin, the ink follows tiny ridges and uneven areas. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026

The tiniest of details, the love of beauty and connection in the human world. — Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 20 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

alteration of Middle English tine

First Known Use

Adjective

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