Slight Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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slight

[slaɪt ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

a slight difference

small in degree; inconsiderable

Synonyms

minor, modest, slender, small.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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?

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

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

In social situations, a slight can refer to unintentional actions that might hurt feelings, such as forgetting someone's name.
Studies show that people are often more affected by social slights than they realize, leading to feelings of exclusion.
Understanding what constitutes a slight varies greatly by culture; what may seem minor in one place might be significant in another.

Literature

Charles Dickens often used the term 'slight' to describe characters in a vulnerable state, highlighting human fragility.
In poetry, 'slight' can evoke imagery of gentleness or fragility, conveying deeper emotional states.
Authors like Jane Austen employed the word to showcase subtlety in social interactions and manners.

Art

Artists may depict slight movements or gestures to convey emotion, using techniques that emphasize minimalism.
In sculpture, a slight curve can significantly alter the perception of balance and form, illustrating complexity in simplicity.
Typography also plays with 'slight' variations in letter design to create impactful visual messages.

Pop Culture

The term ‘slight’ appears in various songs, often used to describe fleeting feelings or insignificant events.
In movies, a slight can drive conflict, where characters overlook a minor issue that escalates into something bigger.
Popular memes often play on the idea of 'slights' in social media contexts, highlighting misunderstandings or mild insults.

Origin of 'slight'

Main points about word origin

The word comes from the Old English 'slyht,' which means 'slender' or 'weak.'
In medieval times, 'slight' was used to describe someone who was thin or delicate.
The usage has evolved to also mean something minimal or trivial in modern English.

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.

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