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.”
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
These include a woolly coat, a layer of insulating fat and smaller ears. Katie Hunt, CNN, 9 Mar. 2024 The internet was smaller, and most sharing was manual (people emailing and messaging links to each other) or via early internet aggregators such as sites like Digg and StumbleUpon. Taylor Lorenz, Washington Post, 9 Mar. 2024 Among them is Nicola Davies, who owns the small Tranquil Home cleaning company in San Diego and is struggling to find reliable help. Paul Wiseman, Quartz, 9 Mar. 2024 The main house is set in a small clearing with two bedrooms and three bathrooms in nearly 4,300 square feet. Mark David, Robb Report, 9 Mar. 2024 Soon, inevitably, Henry and Carl leave their small town, identified on a graffitied wall as Middle of Nowhere. Jesse Green, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2024 The only logical next step for Trader Joe's is to release another tote bag, even smaller this time, and price it at $75. Sam Stone, Bon Appétit, 8 Mar. 2024 Knappe said that for the smaller volume of liquids that landfills produce, this loop might work for now. Chloe Johnson, Journal Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2024 But sometimes, the big fish should stay in the small pond to defend the minnows from the sharks. Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2024
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
Tiniest Chocolate Chip Cookies Again, what’s with the smalls? Alex Beggs, Bon Appétit, 30 Aug. 2023 They were also photographed sharing a kiss, during which Pearson was pictured gently touching the small of Turner's back. Julia Moore, Peoplemag, 2 Jan. 2024 Featuring a wrap-around expansion zipper to create extra space and compress, each cube has a purpose in your packing: the small is fantastic for tech and cords, the medium for lightweight clothing and socks, and the large can fit outerwear, laundry, or even an extra pair of shoes. Red Fabbri, Travel + Leisure, 27 Nov. 2023 Our tester loved the fit, but noted that as a size 6 with a small waist, the small was a little snug there on her, though not uncomfortably so. Sara Gaynes Levy, Peoplemag, 26 Oct. 2023 Place a pillow under the small of your back Another useful tip is to place a pillow between your lower back and the seat. Anna Gordon, TIME, 21 Dec. 2023 The resident had placed his hand on the small of Ellis’ back. Tony Cook, ProPublica, 28 Nov. 2023 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

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 19 Mar. 2024.

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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