small

1 of 3

adjective

ˈsmȯl 

1

a

: having comparatively little size or slight dimensions

b

: lowercase

2

a

: minor in influence, power, or rank

b

: operating on a limited scale

3

: lacking in strength

a small voice

4

a

: little or close to zero in an objectively measurable aspect (such as quantity)

b

: made up of few or little units

5

a

: of little consequence : trivial

b

: humble, modest

6

: limited in degree

7

a

: mean, petty

b

: reduced to a humiliating position

smallish

ˈsmȯ-lish 

adjective

smallness

ˈsmȯl-nəs 

noun

small

2 of 3

adverb

1

: in or into small pieces

2

: without force or loudness

speak as small as you will

—William Shakespeare

3

: in a small manner

small

3 of 3

noun

1

: a part smaller and especially narrower than the remainder

the small of the back

2

a

smalls plural : small-sized products

b

smalls plural, chiefly British : smallclothes

especially : underwear

Synonyms

Adjective

• little
• diminutive
• pocket
• tiny
• fine
• slight

Choose the Right Synonym for small

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 small in a Sentence

Adjective

They live in a small house.

a small glass of soda

She moved to a smaller town.

The toy is small enough to fit in my pocket.

This room is a little smaller than that one.

The movie was a small success.

There are still a few small details we have to deal with.

It's only a small mistake.

The change had only a small impact on the community.

Noun

These shirts are all smalls.

“What size ice-cream cones do you want?” “We'll take three larges and a small.”

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The veteran would be a small upgrade in the outfield for the Padres. —Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 July 2025

Those are the numbers for a 2.5-MW commercial-scale version, anyway; thus far, the idea has only been tested at smaller scale. —Loz Blain june 30, New Atlas, 30 June 2025

Adverb

The duo is starting small, performing their procedures at the outpatient surgery facility Endo-Surgical Center of Florida on North Dean Road. —Naseem S. Miller, OrlandoSentinel.com, 13 May 2017

Noun

Late first-round to early second-round prospects start with North Carolina’s Drake Powell, who impressed scouts with his willingness to defend point guards and other smalls for the Tar Heels throughout the season. —David Aldridge, New York Times, 19 June 2025

The Liberty dominated with their size, protecting the paint with their length and taking advantage of switches against smalls. —Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 19 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English smal, from Old English smæl; akin to Old High German smal small, Greek mēlon small domestic animal

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing small

• a big fish in a small pond
• good things come in small packages
• grateful/thankful for small mercies
• in a small way
• in no small measure
• in no small part
• (it's a) small world
• no small matter
• on a small/tight/shoestring budget
• small ad
• small arm
• small ball
• small beer
• small-bore
• small calorie
• small capital
• small-cell lung cancer
• small change
• small-claims court
• small fortune
• small forward
• small fry
• small hours
• small intestine
• small-minded
• small potato
• small potatoes
• small print
• small-scale
• small screen
• small stuff
• small talk
• small-time
• small-town
• small wonder
• sweat the small stuff
• the little/small matter
• the small of the/one's back
• the small screen
• writ small

Rhymes for small

• ahl
• all
• aul
• bawl
• brawl
• call
• caul
• crawl
• dol
• doll
• drawl
• fall

Kids Definition

small

1 of 3 adjective

ˈsmȯl 

1

: little in size

2

: little in amount

a small supply

3

: not very much : minor

small success

4

: not important

a small matter

5

: operating on a limited scale

small dealers

6

: soft entry 1 sense 1c

a small voice

7

: not generous : mean, petty

a small nature

8

: made up of few or little units

a small crowd

9

: humble entry 1 sense 1, modest

a small beginning

10

: having been humiliated or humbled

felt very small to be caught cheating

smallish

ˈsmȯ-lish 

adjective

smallness

ˈsmȯl-nəs 

noun

small

2 of 3 adverb

1

: in or into small pieces

cut the meat small

2

: in a small manner

most businesses begin small

small

3 of 3 noun

: a part smaller and especially narrower than the rest

the small of the back