small Hear it!

small definition

small (smôl)

adjective

  1. little in size, esp. when compared with others of the same kind; not large or big; limited in size
    1. little in quantity, extent, numbers, value, duration, etc. a small income
    2. of slight intensity; of limited degree or scope
    3. consisting of relatively few units; numerically low
  2. of little importance or significance; trivial
  3. young a book for small children
  4. having relatively little investment, capital, etc. a small business
  5. small-minded; mean; petty
    1. of low or inferior rank; ordinary; not notable
    2. modest or humble
  6. gentle and low; soft: said of sound or the voice
  7. diluted; light; weak small ale
  8. lowercase

Etymology: ME smal, narrow, slender < OE smæl, akin to Ger schmal, narrow < IE base *(s)mēlo-, smaller animal: see mal-

adverb

  1. in small pieces
  2. in a low, faint tone; softly
  3. in a small manner

noun

  1. the small or narrow part the small of the back
  2. small things or articles collectively
  3. Brit., Informal
    1. Archaic smallclothes
    2. underclothes

Related Forms:

small Idioms

feel small

to feel shame or humiliation

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Comments
Improve this definition.
Do you have more to add? Share your linguistic knowledge or observation.
/Register to save your comments.
Related Discussions (1)
TopicRepliesLatest Post
Sizes running big and running small105 years ago

Browse Forums