1
a
: having comparatively little size or slight dimensions
b
2
a
: minor in influence, power, or rank
b
: operating on a limited scale
3
: lacking in strength
a small voice
4
a
: little or close to zero in an objectively measurable aspect (such as quantity)
b
: made up of few or little units
6
: limited in degree
1
: in or into small pieces
2
: without force or loudness
speak as small as you will—
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare3
: in a small manner
1
: a part smaller and especially narrower than the remainder
the small of the back
2
a
smalls plural
: small-sized products
b
Synonyms
Examples of small in a Sentence
Adjective
They live in a small house.
a small glass of soda
She moved to a smaller town.
The toy is small enough to fit in my pocket.
This room is a little smaller than that one.
The movie was a small success.
There are still a few small details we have to deal with.
It's only a small mistake.
The change had only a small impact on the community.
Noun
These shirts are all smalls.
“What size ice-cream cones do you want?” “We'll take three larges and a small.”
Recent Examples on the Web
Hanna Kang, Orange County Register, 7 Nov. 2024
Researchers trained rats to jog on a treadmill To scientifically measure that observation, researchers captured two dozen vampire bats from Belize and trained them to use a small treadmill typically used to measure the metabolic rates of rats.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 7 Nov. 2024
Naseem S. Miller, OrlandoSentinel.com, 13 May 2017
Simon Hill, WIRED, 4 Nov. 2024
As a long-torso girlie, these are ACTUALLY high rise and hit above my belly button — almost to the small of my waist.
—Amanda Randone, refinery29.com, 13 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for small 
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Adjective
His priorities include veterans’ rights, advocating for small businesses, protecting the border and education, according to his campaign website.
AD-64 includes a portion of Los Angeles County and La Habra in Orange County.
—Hanna Kang, Orange County Register, 7 Nov. 2024
Researchers trained rats to jog on a treadmill To scientifically measure that observation, researchers captured two dozen vampire bats from Belize and trained them to use a small treadmill typically used to measure the metabolic rates of rats.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 7 Nov. 2024
Adverb
The duo is starting small, performing their procedures at the outpatient surgery facility Endo-Surgical Center of Florida on North Dean Road.
—Naseem S. Miller, OrlandoSentinel.com, 13 May 2017
Noun
Just bear in mind that the sound quality from a speaker this small is limited.
—Simon Hill, WIRED, 4 Nov. 2024
As a long-torso girlie, these are ACTUALLY high rise and hit above my belly button — almost to the small of my waist.
—Amanda Randone, refinery29.com, 13 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for small
Dictionary Entries Near small
Cite this Entry
“Small.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/small. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
small
1 of 3 adjective1
: little in size
2
: little in amount
a small supply
3
: not very much : minor
small success
4
: not important
a small matter
5
: operating on a limited scale
small dealers
6
: soft entry 1 sense 1c
a small voice
8
: made up of few or little units
a small crowd
9
: humble entry 1 sense 1, modest
a small beginning
10
: having been humiliated or humbled
felt very small to be caught cheating
small
2 of 3 adverb1
: in or into small pieces
cut the meat small
2
: in a small manner
most businesses begin small
small
3 of 3 noun
: a part smaller and especially narrower than the rest
the small of the back
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