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.
Birk says the small change ultimately ended up having a huge impact on her daughter's confidence. Kayla Grant, People.com, 13 Aug. 2025 This production is no different with some small changes from the New York run during the tour. Rob Wieland, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025 Some experts have stopped recommending self-exams specifically, and instead say people should focus on breast self-awareness by paying attention to what feels normal for them and noticing small changes. The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Aug. 2025 Hiding in the light Previously, the Cornell team had figured out how to make small changes to specific pixels to tell if a video had been manipulated or created by AI. Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 11 Aug. 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 26 Aug. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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