small

adjective \ ˈsmȯl \

Updated on: 12 May 2018

Definition of small

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

play \ˈsmȯ-lish\ adjective

—

smallness

play \ˈsmȯl-nəs\ noun

See small defined for English-language learners

See small defined for kids

Examples of small in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of small from the Web

Departments, however, should expect to make some changes to their canine programs if people are allowed to carry and consume small amounts of pot.

— elyssa cherney, chicagotribune.com, "Experts dismiss central Illinois cop's claim that legalizing pot would lead to euthanizing drug-sniffing dogs," 9 May 2018
Under the bill, possession of a small amount of marijuana — 30 grams or less — would be a summary offense rather than a misdemeanor.

— christina tatu, Philly.com, "Where marijuana has been decriminalized in Pa.," 9 May 2018
His neighbor was growing a small amount to feed his grandfather’s opium addiction, Zhou said.

— ann wang, The Christian Science Monitor, "Myanmar's farmers shift from growing poppies to raising silkworms," 9 May 2018
Buy small amounts of a variety of nuts and toss three or four kinds into the bowl.

— ann maloney, NOLA.com, "The time is ripe for salad bowl dinners: Easy, fresh recipes," 8 May 2018
The agency said a school employee doing a routine inventory discovered the university could only account for 13 of its 14 plutonium sources, each weighing about the same small amount.

— Fox News, "Idaho State University loses weapons-grade plutonium capable of making a dirty bomb," 8 May 2018
The agency said a school employee doing a routine inventory discovered the university could only account for 13 of its 14 plutonium sources, each weighing about the same small amount.

— CBS News, "Idaho State University faces fine for losing plutonium used to make dirty bombs," 8 May 2018
Before November 2011, the searches were done in small groups of 5 to 10 inmates at a time, with two sheriff's deputies in the room.

— maxine bernstein, OregonLive.com, "Group strip searches of Multnomah County inmates is subject of appeal before federal panel," 8 May 2018
And yet another brief ex: Name: Mollie King Hair color: Blonde Length of relationship: Some small amount of time in 2012 What happened there?

— lisa ryan, The Cut, "Who Else Was Up for the Role of Prince Harry’s Wife?," 7 May 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of small

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

small Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of 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

small

adverb

Definition of small

1 : in or into small pieces

2 : without force or loudness

speak as small as you will
—William Shakespeare

3 : in a small manner

Recent Examples of small from the Web

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, "'Dr. 90210' star accepting patients in Orlando," 13 May 2017

First Known Use of small

before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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small

noun

Definition of small

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

See small defined for English-language learners

Examples of small in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of small from the Web

Meanwhile, combine 1 teaspoon butter, 1 small chopped red bell pepper, 1/2 medium chopped onion and 1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms in a large microwavable container.

— atlanta life, ajc, "7 Day Menu Planner," 30 Mar. 2018
No defense can close out perfectly against the Rockets for an entire game, but the Thunder—bigs and smalls alike—kept it reasonable and forced specialists to put the ball on the floor.

— rob mahoney, SI.com, "Thunder Build Case as Western Conference Contenders One Defensive Rotation at a Time," 25 Dec. 2017
Firefighters also are conducting small, controlled burns that destroy fuel for the wildfire.

— joseph serna, latimes.com, "Winds put hundreds of homes in Montecito area in danger as Thomas fire rages," 15 Dec. 2017
The Suns can be tempted at some point to give up Jackson, an athletic small forward who would help the Cavs.

— terry pluto, cleveland.com, "Cleveland Browns camp early quarterback report -- Terry Pluto (video)," 3 Aug. 2017
Sea Pride normally sells a dozen crabs for $16 for smalls to $100 for jumbos.

— jeff barker, baltimoresun.com, "Abundant crabs not too pricey for Maryland's Fourth," 30 June 2017
In addition to music, Wallace has dabbled in movies, starring as a young Smalls in the 2009 biopic about his father, Notorious.

— dave quinn, PEOPLE.com, "Biggie Smalls’ 20-Year-Old Son Pays Tribute to His Father in Rare Appearance: ‘I Live My Life by His Words’," 22 May 2017

First Known Use of small

15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

SMALL Defined for English Language Learners

small

adjective

Definition of small for English Language Learners

: little in size
: few in number or little in amount
: not very important

small

noun

Definition of small for English Language Learners

: something that is sold in a small size : something that is smaller than other things of the same kind

SMALL Defined for Kids

small

adjective \ ˈsmȯl \

Definition of small for Students

smaller; smallest

1 : little in size

a small house

2 : few in numbers or members

a small crowd

3 : little in amount

a small supply

4 : very young

a small child

5 : not very much

small success

6 : unimportant

There are some small details to work out.

7 : operating on a limited scale

small car dealers

8 : very soft and quiet

a small voice

9 : not generous : mean

10 : made up of units of little worth

small change

11 : ¹humble 3, modest

She came from a small beginning.

12 : lowered in pride

After fumbling the ball, I felt pretty small.

13 : being letters that are not capitals

—

smallness

noun

small

noun

Definition of small for Students

: a part smaller and usually narrower than the rest

the small of the back

Learn More about small

See words that rhyme with small Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for small Spanish Central: Translation of small Nglish: Translation of small for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of small for Arabic speakers

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small

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small

Definition of small

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SMALL Defined for English Language Learners

small

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small

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