Small Meaning
Small Definition & Usage
Having little size, extent, or importance.
Examples
- "The room was too small to fit the sofa."
- "She has a small garden in the backyard."
- "The small boat bobbed on the waves."
- "He gave me a small smile, which was enough to reassure me."
- "They live in a small village near the coast."
A small amount or degree of something.
Examples
- "I only have a small amount of money left."
- "He put a small amount of sugar in his coffee."
- "There was a small chance of success in the situation."
- "She spent a small part of her day reading."
- "We have a small number of tickets available for the event."
Referring to youth or early development.
Examples
- "He's just a small child, but very clever."
- "I started my career at a small company before moving to a bigger one."
- "She's in the small stages of her business, but it's growing fast."
- "They adopted a small puppy from the shelter."
- "My brother is still a small boy compared to his classmates."
Describing something of little importance or impact.
Examples
- "It was just a small mistake that didn't affect the outcome."
- "Her comment seemed small, but it made a big difference to me."
- "They had a small argument, but it didn't last long."
- "It's a small issue, but it needs to be addressed."
- "Don't worry, it's a small matter."
Cultural Context
The word 'small' has Old English origins, and it has retained its core meaning related to size, scale, and importance over time. It is a versatile word in English, appearing in a wide range of contexts, from physical measurements to metaphorical uses in describing people, situations, and objects.
A Small Gesture
Story
A Small Gesture
It was a small room, tucked in the corner of an old building, yet it had a charm that no one could deny. Emma sat by the window, her tiny fingers wrapped around a cup of tea. She had only recently moved into the apartment, and she was still adjusting to the small space she now called home. Her phone buzzed. It was a message from her best friend, Chloe. 'Just wanted to remind you that sometimes, small things are the most important.' Emma smiled, remembering the many times Chloe had told her this after a long day of challenges. Today, Emma had dealt with a small crisis at work. A report went missing, but after searching through a sea of documents, it turned out to be in the smallest of folders — the one that Emma had overlooked. Her boss had not been impressed, but Emma knew it was just a small mistake, nothing to dwell on. Later, Emma walked to the nearby café. The owner, a small woman with an infectious smile, greeted her warmly. The café had only a few tables, but each one seemed to hold a story. She ordered a coffee and noticed a small group of people gathered for a local event. As she sat there, the feeling of being part of something bigger began to grow within her, despite the small size of the gathering. By the end of the day, Emma reflected on how many 'small' things had shaped her journey: the small room, the small mistake, the small gesture of kindness from Chloe. Sometimes, it was these little things that added up to something far greater than anyone could imagine. She texted Chloe back: 'You're right. It’s the small things that make the biggest difference.'
Related Words
