small change

noun

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.
Suddenly, these leaders could see where performance gaps were occurring, compare impact across departments and simulate how small changes in pricing, supply chain timing or resource allocation could ripple through the business. Raj Polanki, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025 This is done through a DIY practice of making small changes to diet, exercise, sleep, and other behaviors or lifestyle factors. Patty Weasler, Verywell Health, 2 June 2025 But rate of return is a difficult number to model, and small changes in assumptions can lead to big changes in the result. Nikita Lalwani, Foreign Affairs, 22 May 2025 Their studies show how small changes in the number, shape, efficiency and interconnectedness of mitochondria can have huge physiological consequences that contribute to birds’ long-duration, continent-spanning flights. Elizabeth Landau, Quanta Magazine, 19 May 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

“Small change.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/small%20change. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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