“Small” is a useful word, but sometimes it can feel a bit…well, small. When describing something diminutive or insignificant, you might need something more specific, something that captures the nuances of size or importance. That’s where the treasure trove of synonyms comes in!
Small Meaning
Physical Size:
Limited in size: This is the most common meaning, referring to something having a smaller size or dimension compared to others of its kind. (e.g., “The kitten was very small.”)
Quantity or Amount:
Low in number or amount: It can also indicate a small number or quantity of something. (e.g., “There was only a small amount of milk left in the carton.”)
Importance or Significance:
Minor or insignificant: “Small” can also suggest something lacking in importance or consequence. (e.g., “It was a small matter that I quickly forgot.”)
Other Meanings:
Lowercase: In writing, “small” refers to lowercase letters as opposed to uppercase.
Humble or Modest: In some contexts, “small” can imply being humble or unpretentious.
List of Synonyms for Small
Tiny
Miniature
Little
Petite
Compact
Minute
Mini
Modest
Slight
Minor
Puny
Diminutive
Microscopic
Wee
Pocket-sized
Negligible
Infinitesimal
Bitsy
Bitty
Dinky
Teeny
Teeny-weeny
Lilliputian
Bantam
Scant
Paltry
Insubstantial
Trivial
Meager
Sparse
Low
Skimpy
Insignificant
Slim
Svelte
Thin
Narrow
Unassuming
Pygmy
Runty
Small-scale
Minuscule
Pipsqueak
Dwarfish
Half-pint
Baby
Lowly
Humble
Small Synonyms with Examples
Here is a list of synonyms for “small” with their meanings and examples:
Tiny
Meaning: Very small.
Example: The kitten was tiny and could fit in the palm of my hand.
Miniature
Meaning: Much smaller than normal.
Example: The artist created a miniature model of the building.
Little
Meaning: Small in size, amount, or degree.
Example: She has a little puppy that follows her everywhere.
Petite
Meaning: Small and dainty.
Example: She was a petite woman with delicate features.
Compact
Meaning: Small and neatly arranged.
Example: The compact car is perfect for city driving.
Minute
Meaning: Extremely small.
Example: The minute details of the painting were impressive.
Mini
Meaning: A smaller version of something.
Example: She bought a mini fridge for her dorm room.
Modest
Meaning: Small, moderate, or limited in size.
Example: They lived in a modest house on the outskirts of town.
Slight
Meaning: Small in degree; inconsiderable.
Example: There was a slight delay in the flight schedule.
Minor
Meaning: Lesser in importance, seriousness, or significance.
Example: The injury was minor and required no stitches.
Puny
Meaning: Small and weak.
Example: The puny plant struggled to grow in the poor soil.
Diminutive
Meaning: Extremely or unusually small.
Example: The diminutive figure in the distance was barely visible.
Microscopic
Meaning: So small as to be visible only with a microscope.
Example: The scientist examined the microscopic organisms in the water sample.
Wee
Meaning: Very small; tiny.
Example: The baby held a wee teddy bear in her arms.
Pocket-sized
Meaning: Small enough to fit in a pocket.
Example: She carried a pocket-sized notebook for jotting down ideas.
Negligible
Meaning: So small or unimportant as to be not worth considering.
Example: The cost difference was negligible, so we chose the better quality.
Infinitesimal
Meaning: Extremely small.
Example: The error in the measurement was infinitesimal.
Bitsy
Meaning: Tiny or small.
Example: The bitsy puppy ran around the yard.
Bitty
Meaning: Very small.
Example: She collected bitty trinkets from her travels.
Dinky
Meaning: Small and insignificant.
Example: The dinky toy was lost among the larger ones.
Teeny
Meaning: Very small.
Example: She wore a teeny pendant around her neck.
Teeny-weeny
Meaning: Very tiny.
Example: The ant was carrying a teeny-weeny crumb.
Lilliputian
Meaning: Extremely small or tiny.
Example: The lilliputian village was a popular tourist attraction.
Bantam
Meaning: Small, but spirited or combative.
Example: The bantam rooster crowed loudly in the morning.
Scant
Meaning: Barely sufficient or adequate.
Example: The recipe called for a scant teaspoon of salt.
Paltry
Meaning: Small or meager.
Example: The workers were paid a paltry sum for their efforts.
Insubstantial
Meaning: Lacking strength and solidity.
Example: The evidence was insubstantial and did not hold up in court.
Trivial
Meaning: Of little value or importance.
Example: The argument was over a trivial matter.
Meager
Meaning: Lacking in quantity or quality.
Example: The villagers had a meager harvest this year.
Sparse
Meaning: Thinly dispersed or scattered.
Example: The vegetation was sparse in the desert.
Low
Meaning: Below the usual level or amount.
Example: The reservoir’s water level was low after the drought.
Skimpy
Meaning: Less than enough.
Example: The portions at the restaurant were skimpy.
Insignificant
Meaning: Too small or unimportant to be worth consideration.
Example: The amount of money lost was insignificant compared to the total budget.
Slim
Meaning: Small in quantity.
Example: There was only a slim chance of rain.
Svelte
Meaning: Slender and elegant.
Example: The svelte model walked down the runway.
Thin
Meaning: Having little thickness.
Example: The ice on the pond was thin and unsafe.
Narrow
Meaning: Of small width.
Example: The narrow alleyway was barely wide enough for a car.
Unassuming
Meaning: Modest; not arrogant.
Example: Despite his success, he remained unassuming.
Pygmy
Meaning: Very small.
Example: The pygmy goat was a favorite at the petting zoo.
Runty
Meaning: Small and weak.
Example: The runty kitten needed extra care.
Small-scale
Meaning: Limited in size or scope.
Example: They launched a small-scale business from their garage.
Minuscule
Meaning: Extremely small.
Example: The writing on the contract was minuscule and hard to read.
Pipsqueak
Meaning: A person or thing that is insignificant or small.
Example: He dismissed his rival as a mere pipsqueak.
Dwarfish
Meaning: Very small.
Example: The dwarfish plants looked out of place in the garden.
Half-pint
Meaning: Small; a person or thing of small size or little importance.
Example: The little half-pint was the youngest in the class.
Baby
Meaning: Very small or immature.
Example: She planted baby carrots in her garden.
Lowly
Meaning: Low in status or importance.
Example: He started his career in a lowly position.
Humble
Meaning: Having or showing a modest or low estimate of one’s importance.
Example: She lived in a humble cottage by the sea.
Small Synonyms Infographic
By exploring the vast array of synonyms for “small,” you can add depth, precision, and nuance to your writing. So, the next time you encounter something diminutive, don’t settle for “small” – unleash your vocabulary and paint a vivid picture with the perfect word!
