slight

adjective

\ˈslīt

Definition of slight

(Entry 1 of 3)

1a : having a slim or delicate build : not stout or massive in body

b : lacking in strength or substance : flimsy, frail

c : deficient in weight, solidity, or importance : trivial a slight movie

2 : small of its kind or in amount a slight chance a slight odor of gas

slight

verb

slighted; slighting; slights

Definition of slight (Entry 2 of 3)

transitive verb

1 : to treat as slight or unimportant : make light of

2 : to treat with disdain or indifference slight a guest

3 : to perform or attend to carelessly and inadequately don't slight your work

slight

noun

Definition of slight (Entry 3 of 3)

1 : an act or an instance of slighting

2 : an instance of being slighted : a humiliating discourtesy

Other Words from slight Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about slight

Keep scrolling for more

Choose the Right Synonym for slight

Adjective

thin, slender, slim, slight, tenuous mean not thick, broad, abundant, or dense. thin implies comparatively little extension between surfaces or in diameter, or it may imply lack of substance, richness, or abundance. thin wire a thin soup slender implies leanness or spareness often with grace and good proportion. the slender legs of a Sheraton chair slim applies to slenderness that suggests fragility or scantiness. a slim volume of poetry a slim chance slight implies smallness as well as thinness. a slight build tenuous implies extreme thinness, sheerness, or lack of substance and firmness. a tenuous thread

Verb

neglect, disregard, ignore, overlook, slight, forget mean to pass over without giving due attention. neglect implies giving insufficient attention to something that merits one's attention. habitually neglected his studies disregard suggests voluntary inattention. disregarded the wishes of his family ignore implies a failure to regard something obvious. ignored the snide remark overlook suggests disregarding or ignoring through haste or lack of care. in my rush I overlooked a key example slight implies contemptuous or disdainful disregarding or omitting. slighted several major authors in her survey forget may suggest either a willful ignoring or a failure to impress something on one's mind. forget what others say

Examples of slight in a Sentence

Adjective

There is a slight chance of rain. Her head is tilted at a slight angle in the picture. If you have even the slightest doubt, then don't do it.

Verb

I'm sure he didn't mean to slight you. He was slighted by his colleagues.

Noun

refused to respond to their petty slights

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Democrats hold a slight edge — but by no means a lock — on retaking the House. — Tara Golshan, Vox, "The 4 Republican scandals that could tip the 2018 midterms, explained," 5 Nov. 2018 In Ohio, Democrat Richard Cordray, left, former head of the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, has a slight edge over Republican state Attorney General Mike DeWine. — Kris Maher, WSJ, "Democrats Have Shot at Reclaiming Several Midwest Governorships," 21 Oct. 2018 Overall, Google's search prowess gives its version of YouTube a slight edge over Amazon's. — Valentina Palladino, Ars Technica, "Echo Show 2018 review: Seeing is believing, and there’s a lot more to see," 8 Oct. 2018 Trump claimed credit for his late push to give Balderson the slight edge, but Gov. John Kasich also backed the candidate who is running for his old seat. — Edmund Demarche, Fox News, "Hotly contested Ohio race gets closer after hundreds of uncounted votes are found," 2 Oct. 2018 The high neckline and structured sleeves lent a slight futuristic edge that artistic director Nicolas Ghesquière is often known for. — Christian Allaire, Vogue, "Natalia Vodianova’s World Cup Dress Resembled the Trophy," 15 July 2018 Give her the slight edge in a well matched field for the Debutante. — Mike Battaglia, The Courier-Journal, "Oddsmaker Mike Battaglia's free picks for Saturday at Churchill Downs," 29 June 2018 While Democrats may seem to have a slight edge, all three results are within the margin of error. — NBC News, "Battleground state polls find more voters prefer Congress as a check on Trump," 27 June 2018 With just one point each, Iceland and Argentina would both have to win to qualify, but the Nordic team has a slight edge in goal difference. — Derek Gatopoulos, The Seattle Times, "Iceland coach turns off cellphone to focus on Croatia," 25 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

American politics increasingly resembles the Middle Eastern variety, where each side remembers how it was slighted yesterday and vows to exact its retribution tomorrow. — Bobby Jindal, WSJ, "Democrats, Try Some Self-Restraint," 8 Oct. 2018 Fair or unfair, All-Star appearances are one way to measure greatness, and fan voting already slights worthy small-market players. — Tom Verducci, SI.com, "Nine Innings: How Bryce Harper Is Trying to Revive His Season, What We Learned in the First Half and More," 9 July 2018 Mitchell should feel slighted by those vote totals. — Gentry Estes, The Courier-Journal, "Donovan Mitchell should feel slighted in NBA rookie of the year voting," 26 June 2018 Top of the game Panthers coach Ron Rivera is trying to figure out why Short — and the entire defensive line — seem to get slighted. — Joseph Person, charlotteobserver, "At $780,000 per game, he could be the Panthers' most underrated player," 22 June 2018 BERLIN – Berlin police say an officer has discharged his gun near the German capital's cathedral, slighting injuring a man. — Fox News, "Berlin police officer shoots, injures man near cathedral," 3 June 2018 Pregnant women and mothers are often perceived as less committed, steered away from prestigious assignments, excluded from client meetings and slighted at bonus season. — Anchorage Daily News, "Pregnancy discrimination is rampant inside America’s biggest companies," 16 June 2018 Would the other child, our daughter, feel slighted and less loved? — New York Times, "Should I Go to a College I’ve Been Admitted to as a Legacy?," 22 May 2018 But in their shared time on The Bachelor, Booth slighted Martinez. — Rebecca Farley, refinery29.com, "Bekah Martinez Refuses To Play By The Rules Of Bachelor Nation," 22 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

But the North Korean dictator did not meet with Pompeo during his visit this month, viewed widely by foreign affairs analysts as an intentional slight given that the two had met on Pompeo's two previous visits to Pyongyang. — David Nakamura, chicagotribune.com, "Trump releases 'nice note' from Kim Jong Un praising progress despite setbacks in talks," 12 July 2018 The Panthers’ secondary has long thrived on such slights — real or imagined. — Joseph Person, charlotteobserver, "Is a Panthers defensive line with 3 Pro Bowlers and Julius Peppers underappreciated?," 12 July 2018 The Eagles were not chippy about the slights or even all that arrogant. — Nancy Armour, USA TODAY, "Nick Foles, Philadelphia Eagles are no longer underdogs after Super Bowl LII win," 4 Feb. 2018 The biggest slight, however, comes at the end, just as Rhodes reaches the energy transition now under way. — David R. Baker, San Francisco Chronicle, "‘Energy: A Human History,’ by Richard Rhodes," 7 June 2018 Since then, about 1,000 more women work in the occupation, and now women comprise a slight of 51% majority of all workers in the field. — USA TODAY, "Women in the workforce: 20 jobs that have become dominated by women," 21 Mar. 2018 The only modification to the shell was a slight cut out in the front part of the rear wheel wells to accomdate the triangular treads. — Robert Duffer, chicagotribune.com, "Nissan rips up Chicago Auto Show with 370Z snowmobile," 7 Feb. 2018 The situation reminded me of how a small slight between two stubborn friends can spiral into a feud, although even the most pissed-off person would probably not try to destroy his friend’s career. — Adrian Chen, The New Yorker, "Ice Poseidon’s Lucrative, Stressful Life as a Live Streamer," 8 Dec. 2014 Prince William selected his cousin Zara Tindall as a spiritual guide for his firstborn over his younger brother, but the move shouldn't read as a slight. — Caroline Picard, Good Housekeeping, "The Royal Christening Quiz You Have to Take Before Prince Louis's Baptism," 8 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'slight.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.