Negligible Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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negligible
[หnษษกlษชdสษชb(ษ)l ]
Definitions
influence
So small or unimportant as to be not worth considering; insignificant.
Synonyms
insignificant, minor, trivial.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| negligible |
When referring to something so small or unimportant that it can be safely ignored.
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| insignificant |
When describing something that lacks importance, relevance, or value.
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| minor |
When referring to small, less significant issues or changes, usually in comparison to something more major.
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| trivial |
When describing something that is very simple, commonplace, or of little significance, often with a sense that it is not worth considering seriously.
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Examples of usage
- It was a negligible amount of money for such a large company.
- The risk of side effects from the medication is negligible.
effect
So small or unimportant as to be not worth considering; trifling.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| negligible |
Appropriate for situations where the effect or importance is so small that it can be safely ignored. Often used in technical or formal contexts.
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| minimal |
Refers to the smallest possible amount or degree. Often used in everyday situations where something is reduced to its lowest limit.
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| insignificant |
Used when something lacks importance or value, and has little to no impact on the outcome. Can carry a slightly negative connotation.
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Examples of usage
- The difference in performance was negligible.
- The impact of the new policy on the economy is negligible.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Finance
- In finance, negligible amounts can refer to very small fees or costs that don't significantly impact a budget or decision.
- Economists often use the term to describe small changes in prices that buyers tend to overlook because they don't affect their purchasing decisions.
- Many investment strategies involve identifying negligible risks that could lead to better returns without significant downside.
Science
- In statistics, negligible effects are those that are unlikely to be noticeable in practical experiments or real-life applications.
- Environmental studies may classify certain levels of pollution as negligible if they fall below a threshold deemed safe for health.
- In physics, negligible forces are those that donโt significantly affect the motion of an object, like air resistance on a fast-moving car.
Everyday Situations
- People may describe a negligible inconvenience, like a dropped pen that doesn't disrupt their work.
- In cooking, a negligible ingredient could refer to a dash of salt or spice that adds flavor without taking center stage.
- During negotiations, parties may agree to negligible terms that do not affect the overall outcome.
Origin of 'negligible'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from the Latin 'negligibilis', meaning 'that can be neglected'.
- First used in English in the early 16th century to describe things that could be overlooked.
- It evolved from the Latin 'neglegere', meaning to ignore or overlook.
The word 'negligible' originated from the Latin word 'negligere', which means 'to neglect'. It first appeared in the English language in the early 19th century. The concept of something being negligible has been used in various fields such as mathematics, science, and economics to describe something that is so small or unimportant that it can be disregarded. The word has since become widely used in everyday language to convey the idea of insignificance or triviality.
See also: neglect, neglected, neglectful, neglecting, negligence, negligent.