insignificant

[ in-sig-nif-i-kuhnt ]

adjective

1. unimportant, trifling, or petty:

   Omit the insignificant details.

2. too small to be important:

   an insignificant sum.

   Synonyms: picayune, minuscule, minute, trifling

3. of no consequence, influence, or distinction:

   a minor, insignificant bureaucrat.

4. without weight of character; contemptible:

   an insignificant fellow.

5. without meaning; meaningless:

   insignificant sounds.

noun

1. a word, thing, or person without significance.

insignificant

/ ˌɪnsɪɡˈnɪfɪkənt /

adjective

1. having little or no importance; trifling
2. almost or relatively meaningless
3. small or inadequate

   an insignificant wage

4. not distinctive in character, etc

Derived Forms

• ˌinsigˈnificance, noun
• ˌinsigˈnificantly, adverb

Other Words From

• insig·nifi·cant·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of insignificant¹

First recorded in 1620–30; in- ³ + significant

Example Sentences

Although now retired, he is desperate for the case to be solved: "We need to know what happened to Lindsay. No matter how insignificant, if someone knows something, for heaven's sake come forward."

From BBC

From a sheer numerical standpoint, that's fairly insignificant compared to say, the commercial aviation industry.

From BBC

"So little insignificant things all totalled up together can actually have major impacts," Mr Levinthal said.

From BBC

Beal said his firsthand observations have really challenged his notions about the disease, which has so often been described as mild and insignificant.

From Los Angeles Times

Jackson was the last of the nine Jackson siblings to release a solo project and was chided for having an insignificant role in the Jackson 5.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• inconsequential
• infinitesimal
• irrelevant
• meager
• meaningless
• minimal
• minor
• minuscule
• negligible
• paltry
• pointless
• senseless
• trivial
• unimportant