small change

noun

Synonyms of small changenext
1
: coins of low denomination
2

Examples of small change in a Sentence

a pocket full of small change The fine is a lot of money to some people, but to him it's small change. My problems are small change compared to yours. He wasn't a major criminal. He was strictly small change.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
And over time, even a small change in an asteroid’s motion could be the difference between a hazardous object hitting our planet or missing it entirely, according to researchers. Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026 These clocks, or biomarkers, analyze small changes in DNA over time. Lindsey Leake, NBC news, 9 Mar. 2026 Boundary lines would also be updated to reflect small changes in land use since the zoo took over the property. David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026 Today’s Full Moon is a Lunar Eclipse, which supports your domestic life through honest conversations and small changes. Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 3 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for small change

Word History

First Known Use

1679, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of small change was in 1679

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Small change.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/small%20change. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster