slight
slahyt
Slight (adj) means Small in degree or amount; minor. Example: “There was only a slight chance of rain that afternoon.”
adj
1
Small in degree or amount; minor.
"There was only a slight chance of rain that afternoon."
"She noticed a slight improvement in her scores."
2
Slender or delicate in build.
"He was a slight man, but surprisingly strong."
verb
1
To treat someone with disrespect or neglect, often by ignoring them.
"She felt slighted when she wasn't invited to the meeting."
noun
1
An act or remark that shows disrespect or disregard for someone.
"He took the joke as a slight against his work."
How to use slight
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSmall or minor (as an adjective), or an act of disrespect and the verb for committing one.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "sleight," which relates to skillful trickery, not smallness.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
slight chance
slight increase
feel slighted
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Word forms
- Plural
- slights
- Third person singular
- slights
- Past tense
- slighted
- Comparative
- slighter
- Superlative
- slightest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
There was only a _____ chance of rain that afternoon.
Etymology
From Old English sliht, "smooth, level," related to "slick" — the sense shifted over time to mean "insignificant" and then "slender."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for slight
See all rhymes for slight →Frequently asked questions
What does “slight” mean?
The word “slight” means small in degree or amount; minor. In plain terms, small or minor (as an adjective), or an act of disrespect and the verb for committing one.
How do you pronounce “slight”?
“Slight” is pronounced slahyt ([sl̥ɐɪt] in IPA).
How do you use “slight” in a sentence?
Here is “slight” used in a sentence: “There was only a slight chance of rain that afternoon.”
What part of speech is “slight”?
Depending on how it is used, “slight” can be an adjective, a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “slight” come from?
The word “slight” comes from Old English. From Old English sliht, "smooth, level," related to "slick" — the sense shifted over time to mean "insignificant" and then "slender.".
Is “slight” a common word?
“Slight” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “slight” have?
“Slight” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: small in degree or amount; minor.
What is the difference between slight and minor?
Both describe something small, but slight stresses a small degree or amount, as in 'a slight difference', while minor stresses low importance or seriousness, as in 'a minor problem'.
What is the difference between slight and slim?
In the build sense both mean thin, but slight suggests a small, delicate, or fragile frame, while slim suggests an attractively trim figure. Slight can also mean minor in degree, which slim cannot.
What is the difference between 'slight' and 'subtle'?
Slight means small in degree or amount, emphasising size, while subtle means delicate or hard to notice, emphasising fineness. A slight change is small; a subtle change is not obvious.
Can 'slight' be a verb or a noun as well as an adjective?
Yes. Besides the adjective meaning small or slender, 'slight' can be a verb meaning to insult someone by ignoring or overlooking them, and a noun meaning such an insult or snub.
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