tiny
8 synonyms and 1 antonyms for tiny, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Extremely small in size.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use tiny
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Middle English tine/tyne, "very small," possibly related to the small pointed prong of a fork (a "tine").
Full origin of tiny →Frequently asked questions
What does “tiny” mean?
The word “tiny” means extremely small in size. In plain terms, very small — smaller than "small" would suggest.
How do you pronounce “tiny”?
“Tiny” is pronounced TEYE-nee (/ˈtaɪni/ in IPA).
How do you use “tiny” in a sentence?
Here is “tiny” used in a sentence: “A tiny spider crawled across the windowsill.”
What is the opposite of “tiny”?
The opposite of “tiny” — its antonyms — is huge.
What part of speech is “tiny”?
“Tiny” is an adjective.
Where does the word “tiny” come from?
The word “tiny” comes from Middle English. From Middle English tine/tyne, "very small," possibly related to the small pointed prong of a fork (a "tine").
Is “tiny” a common word?
“Tiny” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between tiny and small?
Tiny is a stronger, more extreme version of small. Something small is simply below average in size, while something tiny is very or extremely small. A mouse is small; a flea is tiny. You can also reach for 'tiny' when you want emphasis and 'small' does not feel dramatic enough.
What is the opposite of tiny?
The opposite of tiny is very large. Words like huge, enormous, gigantic, massive, and immense all describe something at the far larger end of the scale. Just as tiny intensifies 'small,' these words intensify 'big,' expressing a size well beyond ordinary or average.
What is an example of something tiny?
Everyday tiny things include an ant, a grain of sand, a pinhead, a poppy seed, or a snowflake. The word suits anything so small it is hard to see clearly or pick up easily. It is also used figuratively, as in a tiny chance or a tiny amount of money.