of limited size; of comparatively restricted dimensions; not big; little:a small box.
slender, thin, or narrow:a small waist.
not large as compared with others of the same kind:a small elephant.
(of letters) lower-case (def. 1).
not great in amount, degree, extent, duration, value, etc.:a small salary.
not great numerically:a small army.
of low numerical value; denoted by a low number.
having but little land, capital, power, influence, etc., or carrying on business or some activity on a limited scale:a small enterprise.
of minor importance, moment, weight, or consequence:a small problem.
humble, modest, or unpretentious:small circumstances.
characterized by or indicative of littleness of mind or character; mean-spirited; petty:a small, miserly man.
of little strength or force:a small effort.
(of sound or the voice) gentle; with little volume.
very young:when I was a small boy.
diluted; weak.
feel small, to be ashamed or mortified:Her unselfishness made me feel small.
adv.
in a small manner:They talked big but lived small.
into small pieces:Slice the cake small.
in low tones; softly.
n.
something that is small:Do you prefer the small or the large?
a small or narrow part, as of the back.
those who are small:Democracy benefits the great and the small.
smalls, small goods or products.
smalls, [Brit.]
underclothes.
household linen, as napkins, pillowcases, etc.
smalls, [Brit. Informal.]the responsions at Oxford University.
Miningsmalls, coal, ore, gangue, etc., in fine particles.
bef. 900; Middle English smale (adjective, adjectival, noun, nominal, and adverb, adverbial), Old English smæl; cognate with Dutch smal, German schmal
small′ness, n.
1. tiny. See little.2. slight. 1.3.5.Smaller,less indicate a diminution, or not so large a size or quantity in some respect. Smaller, as applied to concrete objects, is used with reference to size:smaller apples.Less is used of material in bulk, with reference to amount, and in cases where attributes such as value and degree are in question:A nickel is less than a dime(in value). A sergeant is less than a lieutenant (in rank). As an abstraction, amount may be either smaller or less, though smaller is usually used when the idea of size is suggested:a smaller opportunity.Less is used when the idea of quantity is present:less courage.9. trifling, petty, unimportant, minor, secondary, nugatory, inconsequential, paltry, insignificant. 11. small-minded, narrow-minded, mean, selfish, narrow. 12. feeble.