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

She’s drawn to the tiny platform and minimalist silhouette of these leather slingbacks. — Paris Wilson, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2026

Judging from the photos and video, Alaskan has done a nice job of turning the tiny interior of its camper into an inviting space in which campers will want to spend time. — New Atlas, 8 July 2026

Synchronous fireflies Some North Carolina fireflies are synchronous, drawing large crowds to watch the tiny insects light up in unison. — Eva Flowe july 7, Charlotte Observer, 7 July 2026

More than 4,000 kilometers (2,500 miles) from Tehran, this tiny town of Kohima also bears the brunt of the Iran war. — ABC News, 8 July 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