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
Leigh Nordstrom, WWD, 20 Nov. 2024
Popular on Variety The duo take oversight of a significantly smaller media operation that Comcast executives are betting will fare better without the burden of a passel of large cable networks that, while still profitable, are in decline.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 20 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
The movie follows a dancer (Britt Robertson) who gets cut from her company in the big city and returns home to her small town, only to find that her parents’ local performing arts venue is at risk of being closed.
—Leigh Nordstrom, WWD, 20 Nov. 2024
Popular on Variety The duo take oversight of a significantly smaller media operation that Comcast executives are betting will fare better without the burden of a passel of large cable networks that, while still profitable, are in decline.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 20 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 3 Dec. 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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