- of limited size or scope
- (of a map, model, etc) giving a relatively small representation of something, usually missing out details
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
ˈsmall-ˈscale,
adj. [usually before a noun]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- of limited amount, extent, or scope:a small-scale enterprise.
- (of a map, model, etc.) being a small version of the original;
showing little detail.
small-scale
(smôl′skāl′),USA pronunciation adj.
- of limited extent;
of small scope:a small-scale enterprise. - being a relatively small map, model, etc., of the original and, hence, showing relatively little detail.
- 1850–55
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
small-scale adj
'small-scale' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
artisan
- lifestyle block
- microclimatology
- miniature
- miniaturize
- pilot study
- rorter
- sympathetic magic
- accident
- cottage industry
- farm system
- light
- little
- microhabitat
- micrometeorology
- micromethod
- microminiature
- miniconvention
- mom-and-pop
- par-three
- pitch-and-putt
- ranchette
- ruin
- scintillation
- sleeveboard
- small-scale integration
- squamulose
- SSI