small-scale

adjective

ˈsmȯl-ˈskāl 

1

: small in scope

especially : small in output or operation

2

of a map : having a scale (such as one inch to 25 miles) that permits plotting of comparatively little detail and shows mainly large features

Examples of small-scale in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Natrium reactor, like many of the newer small-scale projects, uses a special kind of refined uranium that's more concentrated than typical nuclear fuels, but still weaker than what's used for bombs. — Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 9 Aug. 2026

But with recent legislation that upended zoning laws across the state, many more lots — including vacant ones — are now open for development of small-scale complexes, each of which can be sold individually. — Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026

Lister Lowdown -Valar Atomics, the startup building small-scale nuclear reactors, raised $1 billion in a Series B round led by Sequoia Capital. — Alexandra York, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

But for those craving something other than epic spectacle, Universal is stacking the lineup by releasing the small-scale romcom One Night Only, starring Callum Turner and Monica Barbaro. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for small-scale

• airmail
• assail
• avail
• bewail
• blackmail
• cattail
• cocktail
• curtail
• derail
• detail
• dovetail
• email