tiny

[ tahy-nee ]

adjective

, ti·ni·er, ti·ni·est.

1. very small; minute; wee.

   Synonyms: teeny, diminutive, little

tiny

/ ˈtaɪnɪ /

adjective

1. very small; minute

Derived Forms

• ˈtinily, adverb
• ˈtininess, noun

Other Words From

• tini·ly adverb
• tini·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of tiny¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; late Middle English tine “very small” + -y ¹; further origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of tiny¹

C16 tine, of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

In this state, these cells that line the tiny arteries in the kidney begin to grow too large.

From Science Daily

Photosynthesis is in turn linked to chlorophyll pigments, tiny green molecules that play a key role in harvesting light.

From Science Daily

This week in Current Biology, researchers report tiny nematodelike fossils from the Ediacaran period, dating to about 15 million years before the Cambrian forms.

From Science Magazine

Around him, tiny peach trees the size of pencils stand above the browning grass underneath their parent tree.

From Salon

"The metallic tip acts like an antenna and focusses the electromagnetic field in a tiny area below its apex."

From Science Daily

Related Words

• insignificant
• microscopic
• miniature
• minuscule
• minute
• puny
• slight
• small
• teeny
• wee