WordGarden.iosmall
A1Pronunciation
UK
- /smˈɔːl/
US
- /ˈsmɔl/
Meanings
Adjective
little in physical size or overall scale
little in amount, number, extent, or degree
not very important, influential, or significant
Beyond the definition
"Small" may look like a very simple word, but it does more than describe something that is not big. It can talk about size, of course, like a small apartment or a tiny hummingbird. But it can also describe amount, importance, or strength. A small kindness can mean a lot, and a small win can still feel important.
You might say a child is "small for their age," meaning they have not grown very much yet. You can also talk about a small number of people, a small budget, or a small problem. In daily life, the word often suggests something limited, slight, or not very important. It is a flexible word that appears in many kinds of sentences.
The word "small" primarily describes something of relatively little size, extent, or amount. We often use it to compare things: "This apple is smaller than that one," or "A mouse is small compared to an elephant." But the meaning of "small" extends far beyond just physical dimensions.
It can describe quantity—a "small number" of people or a "small portion" of food. It can also refer to importance or significance: "a small detail" or "a small issue." Sometimes it implies insignificance; saying someone has "small ambitions" suggests they aren't aiming very high.
"Small" is frequently used in figurative ways too. A "small world" refers to the surprising connections between people, and a "small mercy" describes a minor benefit received during difficult times. You might describe a feeling as "small but persistent," meaning it is not strong, but it does not go away easily.
In business, "small businesses" are often locally owned and operated, contrasting with large corporations. In art, "small-scale" works are often miniature or intimate in size.
So while "small" often points to physical size, it can also describe amount, importance, strength, scope, or social scale. It may suggest something limited, slight, intimate, modest, or even unimportant, depending on the context. That range is what makes "small" such a common and useful word in English.
Examples
- 1
Home size
They live in a small house near the beach.
- 2
Clothing fit
This jacket is too small for me now.
- 3
Portable size
The phone is small enough to fit in your pocket.
- 4
Cooking amount
We only need a small amount of butter for the sauce.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Group size
Only a small number of people knew about the plan.
- 6
Business
She runs a small business from home.
- 7
Mistakes
Even a small mistake can cause big problems.
- 8
Testing
Let's start with a small test before we change the whole system.
- 9
Money
I only had small change, so it took me a minute to pay.
- Phrasesmall change
coins or money of low value
- 10
Polite conversation
We made small talk while we waited for the interview to start.
- Phrasesmall talk
polite conversation about unimportant things
- 11
Unexpected connection
It's a small world.
- PhraseIt's a small world
said when you find an unexpected connection with someone
See also
Forms and spellings
3 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- smallnounadjectiveadverb
Forms
- smallercomparativeadjectiveadverbnoun
- smallestsuperlativeadjectiveadverbnoun