smidgen

noun

smid·​gen ˈsmi-jən How to pronounce smidgen (audio)
variants or less commonly smidgeon or smidgin or smidge
: a small amount : bit
a smidgen of salt
a smidgen of common sense

Examples of smidgen in a Sentence

I'll just have a smidgen of ice cream. the maid cleaned the house until there wasn't even a smidgen of dust left
Recent Examples on the Web Take a smidgen of hydrogen, then blast it with lasers to set off a small thermonuclear explosion. Kenneth Chang, New York Times, 13 Nov. 2023 Their Senate District 31 covers a swath of Loudoun and Fauquier counties that favored Youngkin by a 0.6 percent smidgen but went blue by 5.6 points in last year’s congressional races. Teo Armus, Washington Post, 3 Nov. 2023 With that in mind, dig a hole sufficiently deep to accommodate the roots while leaving the root flare just a smidgen above the surface. Tovah Martin, Washington Post, 27 Sep. 2023 Any other elite entrepreneur might see this as a good time to build up a smidgen of consumer, advertiser, and even regulator confidence. Jennifer Jolly, USA TODAY, 4 Aug. 2023 Lamb’s development is one reason the Cowboys could have a smidgen of trepidation about signing Odell Beckham Jr. because the length of his resume might just make Lamb deferential, which would not be a positive. Dallas News, 6 Dec. 2022 This closeness, shown without a smidgen of sentimentality, serves as the saving grace of these women’s lives. Peter Rainer, The Christian Science Monitor, 10 Aug. 2023 Nevertheless, Republicans voted to weaken oversight over such weapons—just days after survivors from numerous mass shootings visited the Hill to ask members of Congress for even a smidgen of meaningful action on guns. Prem Thakker, The New Republic, 14 June 2023 While the most unscrupulous human campaign operative may still have a smidgen of accountability, AI has none. David E. Clementson, The Conversation, 21 July 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'smidgen.' 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

probably alteration of English dialect smitch soiling mark

First Known Use

1845, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of smidgen was in 1845

Dictionary Entries Near smidgen

Cite this Entry

“Smidgen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smidgen. Accessed 1 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

smidgen

noun
smid·​gen
variants also smidgeon or smidgin
ˈsmij-ən
or smidge
: a small amount : bit
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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