English Lexicon

Small

/smɔːl/
adjectivenounadverbCEFR A1 (Beginner)Top #120 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As adjective
  1. 1

    Of a size that is less than normal or usual.

    "The small dog barked loudly at the passing cars."
  2. 2

    Not large in quantity or degree.

    "She made a small donation to the charity."

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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

Derived from the Old English word smæl, meaning narrow, thin, or slender, tracing back to Proto-Germanic *smalaz meaning small cattle or small. Over centuries, the semantic focus shifted from thinness to general diminutive physical size and quantity, replacing earlier native terms.

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