adj

teeny

TEE-nee

Teeny (adj) means Very small; tiny. Example: “She wore a teeny pair of earrings.”

adj

Very small; tiny.

"She wore a teeny pair of earrings."

"We only have a teeny amount of time left."

How to use teeny

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA casual, slightly childish way to say something is very small.

When to use it

Informal — fine in everyday speech, not typical in formal writing.

Common pairings

teeny bit teeny tiny

teenier comparative, teenies plural, teeniest superlative

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She wore a _____ pair of earrings.

An alteration of "tiny", first recorded around 1825, often used in a playful or childlike way.

· First attested 1825

Class of 1825 teeny joined the language around 1825.

damper

See the full Class of 1825 →

deny eeny weeny Feeny progeny larceny Yevgeny

What does “teeny” mean?

The word “teeny” means very small; tiny. In plain terms, a casual, slightly childish way to say something is very small.

How do you pronounce “teeny”?

“Teeny” is pronounced TEE-nee (/ˈti.ni/ in IPA).

How do you use “teeny” in a sentence?

Here is “teeny” used in a sentence: “She wore a teeny pair of earrings.”

What part of speech is “teeny”?

“Teeny” is an adjective.

Where does the word “teeny” come from?

The word “teeny” dates back to around 1825. An alteration of "tiny", first recorded around 1825, often used in a playful or childlike way.