Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Of limited size; not big or large: "small" describes something that is physically little in size, extent, or amount.
   • Minor in importance, degree, or scale: "small" can refer to something insignificant, trivial, or of little consequence.
   • Young or immature: "small" is used to describe children or young animals.
   • Humble or modest in station or quality: "small" can describe something of low rank, status, or pretension.
   • Carried out on a limited scale: "small" refers to operations, businesses, or activities of restricted scope.

2. Adverb:

   • Into small pieces: "small" describes the action of breaking or dividing something into little parts.
   • In a small manner; on a small scale: "small" describes doing something in a minor, quiet, or humble way.

3. Noun:

   • A small person or thing: "small" can refer to a person of slight build or a garment size for such a person.
   • A slender part, especially of the back: "small" refers to the narrowest part of the lower back.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • She lives in a small house. (The house is not large in physical dimensions.)
  • It was just a small mistake. (The mistake was minor and unimportant.)
  • He spoke in a small voice. (His voice was quiet and faint.)
  • They run a small family business. (The business operates on a limited scale.)

• Adverb:

  • Chop the onions small. (Cut the onions into tiny pieces.)
  • They started thinking small to save money. (They began planning on a modest, limited scale.)

• Noun:

  • This shirt is a size small. (This shirt is the size designated for a person of slight build.)
  • He felt a pain in the small of his back. (He felt pain in the narrow part of his lower back.)

Advanced Usage

• "to feel/look small": to feel or appear humiliated, ashamed, or insignificant.
  • His criticism made her feel very small.
• "the small of the back": the narrow, curved part at the center of the lower back.
  • The massage focused on the small of her back.
• "in a small way": to a limited or modest extent.
  • He contributed to the charity in his own small way.

Variants and Related Words

• Smallish (adj): somewhat small.
  • The room was smallish but comfortable.
• Smallness (n): the quality or state of being small.
  • The smallness of the apartment was a problem.

Synonyms

• Little: (adj) small in size, amount, or degree. (Often interchangeable, but "little" can imply endearment.)
• Tiny: (adj) extremely small.
• Petite: (adj) (especially of a woman) attractively small and slender.
• Modest: (adj) relatively moderate, limited, or small in amount, rate, or level.
• Minor: (adj) lesser in importance, seriousness, or significance.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Small talk: polite conversation about unimportant or uncontroversial matters.
  • We made small talk while waiting for the meeting to start.

Related Idioms

• It's a small world: said when you meet someone unexpectedly in an unrelated place, expressing surprise that paths have crossed.
  • I saw my old teacher in Tokyo! It's a small world.
• The small print / fine print: the details in a contract or document, often containing important restrictions.
  • Always read the small print before you sign anything.
• Small fry: people or things of little importance; also, young children.
  • The police are after the big criminals, not the small fry.

Adjective

1. made to seem smaller or less (especially in worth)
   • her comments made me feel small
2. not large but sufficient in size or amount
   • a modest salary
   • modest inflation
   • helped in my own small way
3. have fine or very small constituent particles
   • a small misty rain
4. (of a voice) faint
   • a little voice
   • a still small voice
5. lowercase
   • little a
   • small a
   • e.e.cummings's poetry is written all in minuscule letters
6. low or inferior in station or quality
   • a humble cottage
   • a lowly parish priest
   • a modest man of the people
   • small beginnings
7. slight or limited; especially in degree or intensity or scope
   • a series of death struggles with small time in between
8. (of children and animals) young, immature
   • what a big little boy you are
   • small children
9. limited in size or scope
   • a small business
   • a newspaper with a modest circulation
   • small-scale plans
   • a pocket-size country
10. limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
    • a little dining room
    • a little house
    • a small car
    • a little (or small) group

Adverb

1. on a small scale
   • think small

Noun

1. a garment size for a small person
2. the slender part of the back