small
small Lexical Profile
small Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Of a size that is less than normal or usual; not large in physical dimensions, extent, or capacity.
"They rented a small cottage near the coast for their summer vacation."
Not great in amount, number, strength, or power; limited in scale or scope.
"Only a small percentage of applicants were invited for a second interview."
Unimportant, trivial, or minor in significance or consequence.
"We had to make a few small adjustments to the schedule before finalizing the project."
Young and not yet fully grown.
"The park has a fenced playground designed specifically for small children."
Feeling humiliated, ashamed, or petty; lacking generosity or broad-mindedness.
"His harsh criticism in front of the entire board made her feel small and undervalued."
• noun
A garment, beverage, or item of merchandise of a small size.
"This sweater runs quite large, so you should probably order a small instead of a medium."
The slender, narrowest, or lower part of the back, corresponding to the lumbar region.
"He placed a cushion behind the small of his back to relieve tension during the long drive."
British Small articles of laundry, especially underwear (usually used in the plural).
"She hung her smalls on the indoor drying rack near the radiator."
• adverb
Into small pieces; on a modest scale or in a small manner.
"Dice the carrots small so that they cook evenly in the broth."
Word Nuance & Usage
'Small' primarily refers to physical dimensions or scale (a small house), whereas 'little' often conveys youth, insignificance, or an emotional undertone of affection or pity (a sweet little puppy).
• Rhymes for small
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English smæl, meaning 'slender, narrow, or fine,' deriving from Proto-Germanic *smalaz ('small animal, narrow, little'), cognate with Dutch smal and German schmal ('narrow').