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 WebRob Reischel, Forbes, 27 Oct. 2024
Although smaller in scope, the President received his first glimpse into the new lands acquired through the Louisiana Purchase.
—Curtis Varnell The Timepiece, arkansasonline.com, 27 Oct. 2024
Naseem S. Miller, OrlandoSentinel.com, 13 May 2017
Amanda Randone, refinery29.com, 13 Feb. 2024
The top features eyelets in areas that are more prone to overheating to help with ventilation, as do the bottoms, located on the small of the lower back.
—Marisa Petrarca, Travel + Leisure, 20 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for small 
Adjective
Two months ago, that would have led to panic in the NFL’s smallest city after the Packers spent a training camp watching their backup quarterbacks struggle.
—Rob Reischel, Forbes, 27 Oct. 2024
Although smaller in scope, the President received his first glimpse into the new lands acquired through the Louisiana Purchase.
—Curtis Varnell The Timepiece, arkansasonline.com, 27 Oct. 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
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
The top features eyelets in areas that are more prone to overheating to help with ventilation, as do the bottoms, located on the small of the lower back.
—Marisa Petrarca, Travel + Leisure, 20 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for small
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'small.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near small
Cite this Entry
“Small.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/small. Accessed 5 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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