tiny

1 of 2

adjective

ti·​ny ˈtī-nē 

tinier; tiniest

: very small or diminutive : minute

tinily

ˈtī-nə-lē 

adverb

tininess

ˈtī-nē-nəs 

noun

tininess

2 of 2

noun

ti·​ni·​ness ˈtīnēnə̇s 

-īnin-

plural -es

: the quality or state of being tiny

Synonyms of tiny

Adjective

• minuscule
• microscopic
• miniature
• 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

Adjective

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

Adjective

The design took flight in 1965, when Jean Schlumberger dreamed up the idea of a tiny avian creature perched atop an important gemstone. — Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026

The Playdate, Panic’s tiny yellow handheld that launched in 2022, has slowly but surely become a great deal — which is a good thing, because everything else in gaming has only gotten more expensive. — Andrew Webster, The Verge, 9 Oct. 2026

Cute and tiny, with an old-school feel, especially in the hardwoods and the prewar layout. — Nora Deligter, Curbed, 9 Oct. 2026

Whether through wearing or washing, all garments release tiny microfibers. — Catherine Salfino, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

alteration of Middle English tine

First Known Use

Adjective

1598, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing tiny

• tiny house

Rhymes for tiny

• briny
• piney
• shiny
• spiny
• sunshiny

Kids Definition

tiny

adjective

ti·​ny ˈtī-nē 

tinier; tiniest

: very small : minute

tininess noun