small-scale

adjective

ˈsmȯl-ˈskāl 

1

: small in scope

especially : small in output or operation

2

of a map : having a scale (such as one inch to 25 miles) that permits plotting of comparatively little detail and shows mainly large features

Examples of small-scale in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

British energy companies are on alert after hackers believed to be affiliated with the Iranian regime temporarily shut down a small-scale energy generator last month, The Sunday Telegraph reported. — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026

Humanoid robots can now, for example, sort parcels in postal centers, although still on a small-scale basis, and are pushing the boundaries in performing more human tasks such as directing traffic and making coffee. — ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026

Rosatom chief Alexey Likhachev outlined plans to use these small-scale systems for broader energy needs during a government meeting on nuclear infrastructure. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 23 Aug. 2026

Once in Korea, O’Hara worked with the Korean stunt team to refine the choreography even further, making battles out of the small-scale struggle of opening a door, of how characters could make it to the glass break outside. — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 21 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for small-scale

• airmail
• assail
• avail
• bewail
• blackmail
• cattail
• cocktail
• curtail
• derail
• detail
• dovetail
• email