96 Synonyms for SMALL with Examples | Another Word for SMALL • 7ESL (2025)

Last updated on December 9, 2024 by Emma Grace

The English language is rich with vocabulary that allows for precision and nuance, especially when describing the size or magnitude of an object or concept. When you want to convey that something is less than average in size, the term “small” readily comes to mind. However, this is just one of many words at your disposal to express the concept of smallness with more specificity or flair. Understanding and utilizing synonyms of “small” expands your ability to articulate observations and descriptions effectively.

Small Synonyms

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What Is “Small”?

“Small” refers to something of less than average size or amount. It’s used when describing objects, quantities, or even concepts that are diminutive in nature.

Examples:

• The small kitten curled up in the cozy basket.
• She wore a small pendant around her neck that held sentimental value.
• The small garden was bursting with colorful flowers and lush greenery.

List of Synonyms for Small

• Little
• Tiny
• Miniature
• Petite
• Compact
• Minuscule
• Diminutive
• Microscopic
• Lilliputian
• Nano
• Minikin
• Teensy
• Wee
• Puny
• Dinky
• Slight
• Slim
• Short
• Lanky
• Bitty
• Midget
• Stunted
• Dwarf
• Infant
• Baby
• Pee-wee
• Pocket-sized
• Fun-size
• Littleneck
• Mini
• Micro
• Subatomic
• Subtle
• Inconsequential
• Insignificant
• Negligible
• Meager
• Scant
• Limited
• Modest
• Sparse
• Paltry
• Trifling
• Lacking
• Shortened
• Reduced
• Shrunk
• Shrunken
• Slender
• Slightest
• Slighter
• Narrow
• Weeny
• Weensy
• Teensy-weensy
• Teeny
• Teeny-weeny
• Itty-bitty
• Itsy-bitsy
• Bitsy
• Cramped
• Eensy
• Eensy-weensy
• Elfin
• Half-pint
• Homuncular
• Ickle
• Inadequate
• Inappreciable
• Inconsiderable
• Insufficient
• Little-bitty
• Measly
• Mingy
• Minor
• Minute
• Nugatory
• Pathetic
• Pint-sized (informal)
• Poky
• Portable
• Pygmy or pigmy
• Slightly built
• Small-boned
• Small-scale
• Squat
• Stingy
• Stubby
• Teeny (informal)
• Tiddly
• Titchy
• Trivial
• Undersized
• Ungenerous
• Unimportant
• Vest-pocket

Types of Synonyms for Amall

Physical Size

• Little
• Tiny
• Miniature
• Petite
• Compact
• Diminutive
• Pocket-sized
• Dinky

Quantity

• Few
• Limited
• Scant
• Minimal
• Meager
• Slight
• Sparse

Severity or Importance

• Insignificant
• Minor
• Trivial
• Inconsequential
• Negligible

Common Synonyms for Small

Small vs. Little

Smallandlittle are often interchangeable; however, “little” can convey a sense of endearment or imply an amount rather than just size.

• The puppy was sosmallthat it could fit in the palm of my hand.
• She found a littlekitten on the street and decided to take it home.

Small vs. Tiny

Whilesmalldescribes something of a reduced size,tiny emphasizes an extreme reduction, often suggesting something that is considerably smaller than others of its kind.

• The apartment had a smallkitchen, but it was cozy and functional.
• The ladybug landed on the flower with its tinywings folded neatly against its body.

Small vs. Slight

Slightimplies thinness or a lesser degree, often in terms of strength, build, or intensity, whereas “small” is more neutral and generic.

• Thesmallkitten played in the garden.
• She felt aslighttwinge of disappointment when her favorite store was closed.

Small vs. Minor

Minor is typically used to denote lesser importance or severity, rather than size. When you choose “small,” you’re referring to scale or size directly.

• Thesmalldog fit comfortably in her lap.
• She suffered aminorinjury during the game.

Synonyms for Small in Different Contexts

In Everyday Language

Colloquial Expressions

Incolloquial language, there are numerous terms that imply something is small. These words are generally understood in casual communication and can add a touch of personality to your speech.

• Petite: She looked elegant in her petitedress, tailored to fit her small frame.
• Minute:The meeting will only take aminuteof your time.
• Teensy: The teensykitten fit snugly in the palm of her hand.
• Mini: He bought a minicupcake for a quick snack.

Children’s Language

When talking to or about children, the language used often softens, imbuing a sense of playfulness or simplicity.

• Itty-bitty:Theitty-bittykitten played with a ball of yarn.
• Teeny-weeny:She found ateeny-weenyfrog in the garden.
• Wee: He wore a weelittle hat on his head.
• Tiny: The tinyseed grew into a mighty oak tree.

In Technical Contexts

Below, you’ll find technical terms that convey the concept of ‘smallness’ across various disciplines such as mathematics, science, and computing.

In Mathematics

The term ‘minor’ is used to describe a smaller quantity, especially within matrix theory where it refers to the determinant of a smaller square matrix, extracted from a larger one. Similarly,‘infinitesimal’is used to denote an immeasurably small quantity approaching zero, often applied in calculus.

In Science

Within scientific disciplines,‘micro-‘serves as a prefix indicating a factor of one millionth (10^-6) in size. For instance, ‘microgram’ denotes a unit of mass. In chemistry, atoms or molecules that exhibit lesser reactivity or concentration are sometimes referred to as‘inert’or‘trace’respectively.

In Computing

A ‘byte’represents a small unit of digital information, and within that context, a‘bit’is even smaller, being a binary digit or the basic unit of information in computing.

In Literature

Descriptive Adjuncts

• Diminutive: The diminutivecottage at the edge of the woods exuded a charm that the eye could barely grasp.
• Petite: She was a petite woman, delicate and elegant in her movements.
• Minute: The artist carefully added minute details to the painting, making it come alive with subtle intricacies.

Narrative Techniques

• Tiny: Thetinykitten was lost in the colossal, uncaring city.
• Miniscule: He peered closely, noting theminusculedetail in the painting.
• Compact: She treasured hercompactdiary, a repository of thoughts that fit snugly in her palm.

Absolute and Near Synonyms of Small

Absolute Synonyms for Small

Near Synonyms for Small