tiny

adjective

ti·​ny ˈtī-nē 

tinier; tiniest

: very small or diminutive : minute

tinily

ˈtī-nə-lē 

adverb

tininess

ˈtī-nē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• minuscule
• miniature
• microscopic
• small

Choose the Right Synonym for tiny

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 tiny in a Sentence

The computer chips were tiny.

He's from a tiny town that you've probably never heard of.

There's just one tiny little problem.

Aren't you even a tiny bit scared?

Recent Examples on the Web

Although, her selection of dazzling looks in and of themselves were enough to distract fans from the tiny blip. —Michelle Lee, People.com, 7 Aug. 2025

The server came with a tiny wicker basket of bread. —D. S. Waldman, New Yorker, 7 Aug. 2025

Hoops can range from tiny huggies to bold statement pieces and come in a variety of shapes—oval, square, triangular, and beyond. —Lauren Alexis Fisher, Footwear News, 7 Aug. 2025

The tiny matching spoon fits perfectly inside the lid of the jam jar, and the jar even comes with a circular spoon rest. Serve up your favorite jams of the season, or use the jar in a gift basket alongside homemade creations during the holidays. —Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

alteration of Middle English tine

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing tiny

• tiny house

Rhymes for tiny

• briny
• piney
• shiny
• spiny
• consignee
• sunshiny

Kids Definition

tiny

adjective

ti·​ny ˈtī-nē 

tinier; tiniest

: very small : minute

tininess noun