small

1 of 3

adjective

1
a
: having comparatively little size or slight dimensions
b
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
6
: limited in degree
7
a
: mean, petty
b
: reduced to a humiliating position
smallish adjective
smallness noun

small

2 of 3

adverb

1
: in or into small pieces
2
: without force or loudness
speak as small as you willWilliam Shakespeare
3
: in a small manner

small

3 of 3

noun

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
Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of small in a Sentence

Adjective 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. Noun These shirts are all smalls. “What size ice-cream cones do you want?” “We'll take three larges and a small.” See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
But as World War II rolled in a few years later, tree decorations became more modest, and in 1942, three smaller trees were lit in lieu of one huge tree. Tom Winter, NBC News, 30 Nov. 2023 During a conversation in his home studio perched on a small hill in L.A, Erick recalls the path that led him to this moment. Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 29 Nov. 2023 Historically, researchers have used smaller planes or ships to travel to and from the rugged continent and deliver supplies. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Nov. 2023 The Coast Guard received an emergency call around 2:45 p.m. reporting the crash off the coast of Yakushima, a small, remote island in the Kagoshima prefecture, in the southernmost part of Japan. Julia Mio Inuma, Washington Post, 29 Nov. 2023 According to the American Kennel Club, Great Danes and Newfoundlands typically live seven to eight years, while smaller dogs — think Chihuahuas and Miniature Poodles — live an average of 20 years. Kate Gibson, CBS News, 29 Nov. 2023 Finally, there’s the small matter of her nine Grammy nominations. Jem Aswad, Variety, 29 Nov. 2023 Schools that operate on their own water systems, a much smaller number, do have some requirements to test and disclose their lead data. Megan Christie, ABC News, 17 Nov. 2023 And a multipolar world, where several great powers jostle for advantage on the global stage, harbors the potential for more conflicts, large and small. Paul Poast, The Atlantic, 17 Nov. 2023
Adverb
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, 13 May 2017
Noun
What started as a small niche carved out for Black comics in the small of the Store has become its own institution within the club that welcomes everyone of all shades, to get on the mic. Nate Jackson, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2023 According to the Dunkin’ app, ordering a small comes with 590 calories, a medium with 830, and a large with 1,080. Abby Wilson, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Sep. 2023 The big are getting bigger, and the small are struggling. Laia Garcia-Furtado, Vogue, 22 June 2023 Get a small for $5.99, medium for $8.99 or large for $11.50. Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 5 May 2023 The large colander is recommended for pasta and heavy fruits and veggies such as potatoes; the medium is best suited for small to medium sized fruits and veggies such as bell peppers; and the small is best suited for produce like berries and grapes. L. Daniela Alvarez, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Mar. 2023 The set features one mini pedestal that’s three inches tall, one small that’s 4.5 inches tall, and a large that’s 5.75 inches tall. Stephanie Osmanski, Southern Living, 20 July 2023 Now, brush aside your overcoat and tuck the object snugly into the waist of your pants at the small of your back. Michael Finkel, Time, 14 June 2023 The woman was 5′1″ and weighed 111 pounds, with fair skin, strawberry blonde-red hair, blue eyes, neon green-colored finger and toenails, with a tattoo on the small of her back depicting a bird feather with birds flying out of it, officials said. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 5 June 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'small.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

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

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of small was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near small

Cite this Entry

“Small.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/small. Accessed 11 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

small

1 of 3 adjective
1
: little in size
2
: little in amount
a small supply
3
: not very much : minor
small success
4
: not important
a small matter
5
: operating on a limited scale
small dealers
6
: soft entry 1 sense 1c
a small voice
7
: not generous : mean, petty
a small nature
8
: made up of few or little units
a small crowd
9
: humble entry 1 sense 1, modest
a small beginning
10
: having been humiliated or humbled
felt very small to be caught cheating
smallish adjective
smallness noun

small

2 of 3 adverb
1
: in or into small pieces
cut the meat small
2
: in a small manner
most businesses begin small

small

3 of 3 noun
: a part smaller and especially narrower than the rest
the small of the back

More from Merriam-Webster on small

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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