Definition

1. Adjective:
   • So small or unimportant as to be not worth considering; insignificant: Describes something that is so minor in amount, degree, or effect that it can be safely ignored or disregarded.

Usage

The word "negligible" is used to describe quantities, amounts, effects, or differences that are so small they have no practical importance or consequence. It is a formal adjective often used in academic, scientific, and analytical contexts.

Examples

• Adjective:
  • The difference in test scores between the two groups was negligible.
  • The amount of rainfall this month has been negligible.
  • He suffered only negligible injuries in the accident.

Advanced Usage

• "Negligible effect/impact": Used to state that something has virtually no influence or consequence.
  • The policy change had a negligible effect on the company's overall profits.
• "Negligible amount/quantity": Used to describe an amount so small it is almost zero.
  • Only a negligible amount of the chemical was detected in the water sample.

Variants and Related Words

• Negligibly (adverb): To a negligible degree; insignificantly.
  • The results were negligibly different from the previous experiment.
• Neglect (verb): To fail to care for or give proper attention to something. (Note: This is a related but distinct word with a different meaning.)

Synonyms

• Insignificant: Too small or unimportant to be worth consideration.
• Trivial: Of little value or importance.
• Minuscule: Extremely small; tiny.
• Inconsequential: Not important or significant.

Antonyms

• Significant: Sufficiently great or important to be worthy of attention.
• Considerable: Notably large in size, amount, or extent.
• Substantial: Of considerable importance, size, or worth.

Adjective

1. not worth considering
   • he considered the prize too paltry for the lives it must cost
   • piffling efforts
   • a trifling matter
2. so small as to be meaningless; insignificant
   • the effect was negligible