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Slight: meaning, definitions and examples

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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?

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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.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • 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.

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.

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

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.