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
6
: limited in degree
1
: in or into small pieces
2
: without force or loudness
speak as small as you will—
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare3
: in a small manner
1
: a part smaller and especially narrower than the remainder
the small of the back
2
a
smalls plural
: small-sized products
b
Synonyms
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.”
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Recent Examples on the WebTom 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
Naseem S. Miller, OrlandoSentinel.com, 13 May 2017
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
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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
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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
Phrases Containing small
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.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
small
1 of 3 adjective1
: 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
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
small
2 of 3 adverb1
: 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
Nglish: Translation of small for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of small for Arabic Speakers
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