smidgen
/'smidʤən/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: A very small amount or quantity; a tiny bit that is barely noticeable or measurable.
Usage
This word is used informally to indicate a minuscule quantity of something, often something uncountable like a substance, a feeling, or an abstract quality. It emphasizes how small the amount is.
Examples
- Could you add just a smidgen more sugar to my coffee, please?
- He didn't show a smidgen of remorse for his actions.
- There's not a smidgen of evidence to support that claim.
- I only need a smidgen of butter for this recipe.
Advanced Usage
- "Not a smidgen": This is a common emphatic phrase meaning "none at all" or "not even the smallest amount."
- There is not a smidgen of truth in that rumor.
- The word is often used with "of" followed by the noun describing what the small amount consists of (e.g., a smidgen salt, a smidgen doubt).
Variants and Related Words
- Smidgeon (noun): An alternative spelling with the same meaning.
- Smidge (noun): A common, even more informal shortening of "smidgen."
Synonyms
- Bit
- Iota
- Whit
- Jot
- Tittle
- Mite
- Speck
- Trace
Idioms and Phrases
While "smidgen" itself is not typically part of a larger idiom, the phrase "a smidgen of" functions as a standard informal quantifier. * She has a smidgen of artistic talent.
Noun
- a tiny or scarcely detectable amount