Slight: meaning, definitions and examples

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slight

 

[ slaɪt ]

Adjective / Noun
Oxford 3000
Context #1 | Adjective

a slight difference

small in degree; inconsiderable

Synonyms

minor, modest, slender, small.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
slight

Used to describe something that is not very important or not very noticeable.

  • There was a slight change in the schedule.
  • I felt a slight headache.
small

A general term used to describe something that is not large in size, quantity, or extent.

  • They live in a small house.
  • I have a small favor to ask.
minor

Used for things that are not very serious or severe, often in legal, medical, or formal contexts.

  • She suffered minor injuries in the car accident.
  • The error had only a minor impact on the results.
modest

Used to describe something that is relatively small or not extreme, often used in contexts involving achievements or amounts.

  • He earned a modest income from his part-time job.
  • The team achieved modest success in the tournament.
slender

Often used to describe something or someone that is thin or narrow, typically in a physical context.

  • She had a slender figure.
  • The ladder was too slender to support his weight.

Examples of usage

  • There is only a slight chance of rain today.
  • She gave a slight smile in response.
Context #2 | Noun

a slight of hand trick

a sleight of hand trick or deception

Synonyms

deception, manipulation, trickery.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
slight

When someone or something is given a minor or insignificant consideration, often causing a sense of insult.

  • She felt a slight when her efforts were ignored.
  • He apologized for the slight, saying it was unintentional.
trickery

Refers to the use of cunning actions or schemes to deceive or cheat someone.

  • The magician's trickery amazed the audience.
  • He fell victim to financial trickery and lost a lot of money.
deception

Used when deliberately misleading someone or hiding the truth.

  • Her act of deception was uncovered during the investigation.
  • He mastered the art of deception to achieve his goals.
manipulation

Involves controlling or influencing others, often in a sneaky or unfair way.

  • His manipulation of the facts was evident in his report.
  • She was accused of emotional manipulation to get her way.

Examples of usage

  • The magician amazed the audience with his sleight of hand.
  • He used a slight of hand to distract the guards.

Translations

Translations of the word "slight" in other languages:

🇵🇹 leve

🇮🇳 हल्का

🇩🇪 leicht

🇮🇩 ringan

🇺🇦 легкий

🇵🇱 lekki

🇯🇵 軽い (かるい)

🇫🇷 léger

🇪🇸 ligero

🇹🇷 hafif

🇰🇷 가벼운

🇸🇦 خفيف

🇨🇿 lehký

🇸🇰 ľahký

🇨🇳 轻微的 (qīngwēi de)

🇸🇮 lahek

🇮🇸 léttur

🇰🇿 жеңіл

🇬🇪 მსუბუქი

🇦🇿 yüngül

🇲🇽 ligero

Etymology

The word 'slight' originated from the Middle English 'sliht', meaning 'smooth, slender'. It evolved from the Old English 'sliht' and Proto-Germanic 'slihtaz', ultimately derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *sleig-, meaning 'to smooth, to glide'. The sense of 'small in degree' developed in the late 14th century.

See also: slightest, slightly, slightness, slights.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,082, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.