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insignificant

A2
adjective

Pronunciation

UK

  • /ˌɪnsɪɡnˈɪfɪkənt/

US

  • /ˌɪnsɪɡˈnjɪfɪkənt/

Description

Something insignificant isn't worth much notice - it's too small or unimportant to matter. A tiny speck of dust on a vast beach is insignificant; the color of your socks probably won't have an impact on world events, so that detail is insignificant.

Think of a grand painting: while every brushstroke contributes, a single, almost invisible dot of paint is insignificant compared to the overall masterpiece. Sometimes things are insignificant because they're simply too small to make a difference. Other times, it's because there are much bigger concerns at hand. A disagreement over who gets the last cookie might feel huge to two children, but is utterly insignificant in the face of a global crisis.

Examples

  1. 1

    Small damage

    The scratch on the table was insignificant, so we decided not to repair it.

  2. 2

    Hidden cost

    The fee seemed insignificant at first, but it added up over a year.

  3. 3

    Personal impact

    The delay was insignificant to most passengers, but it made Anna miss her interview.

  4. 4

    Project budget

    Compared with the cost of the whole project, the repair bill was insignificant.

  5. 5

    Social feeling

    She felt insignificant in a room full of famous writers.

  6. 6

    Statistics

    The difference between the two test scores was statistically insignificant.

    • Domain

      statistically insignificant

      too small to prove a reliable difference

  7. 7

    Understatement

    A not insignificant number of customers complained after the update.

    • Phrase

      not insignificant

      fairly large or important

Forms and spellings

1 form open this card.

Main spelling

  • insignificantadjective