tiny

adjective

ti·​ny ˈtī-nē 

tinier; tiniest

: very small or diminutive : minute

tinily

ˈtī-nə-lē 

adverb

tininess

ˈtī-nē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• atomic
• bitsy
• bitty
• infinitesimal
• itty-bitty
• itsy-bitsy
• little bitty
• microminiature
• microscopic
• microscopical
• miniature
• minuscule
• minute
• teensy
• teensy-weensy
• teeny
• teeny-weeny
• wee
• weeny
• weensy

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

State officials on Friday announced two grants totaling $5 million that will pay for tiny homes near Camden for adults with disabilities or substance abuse disorders and, in Searcy, the state's first residential substance abuse treatment unit for adolescents. —My Ly, arkansasonline.com, 19 Oct. 2024

For a tiny town, Skagen has drawn the attention of a surprising number of architects, who wanted to pay tribute to the landscape and were interested in the idea of art meeting nature. —Lois Alter Mark, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024

Dara Allen The fashion journalist and model stood out from the all-black trend in a sheer blue floor-length gown with a floral pattern and tiny beaded details. —Maggie Clancy, WWD, 18 Oct. 2024

The candy maker has introduced a limited-edition pair of jeans, which are equipped with 30 tiny pockets, each designed to hold a single piece of the company’s hard candy caramel. —Chris Morris, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

alteration of Middle English tine

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing tiny

• tiny house

Kids Definition

tiny

adjective

ti·​ny ˈtī-nē 

tinier; tiniest

: very small : minute

tininess noun