slight

American  

[slahyt] / slaɪt /

adjective

slighter, slightest

1. small in amount, degree, etc..

   a slight increase;

   a slight odor.

   Antonyms:

   considerable

2. of little importance, influence, etc.; trivial.

   a slight cut.

   Synonyms:

   paltry, trifling, insignificant

3. slender or slim; not heavily built.

4. frail; flimsy; delicate.

   a slight fabric.

   Synonyms:

   fragile, feeble, weak

5. of little substance or strength.

   Synonyms:

   inconsiderable, unsubstantial

---

verb (used with object)

1. to treat as of little importance.

   Synonyms:

   scorn, disdain

2. to treat (someone) with indifference; ignore, especially pointedly or contemptuously; snub.

   to be slighted by society.

3. to do negligently; scamp.

   to slight one's studies.

noun

1. an act or instance of slighting or being slighted.

   The critics’ slights led her to change direction in her work.

   Synonyms:

   inattention, disregard, neglect

2. a pointed and contemptuous discourtesy; affront.

   She considered not being invited an unforgivable slight.

slight British  

/ slaɪt /

adjective

1. small in quantity or extent

2. of small importance; trifling

3. slim and delicate

4. lacking in strength or substance

5. dialect ill

---

verb

1. to show indifference or disregard for (someone); snub

2. to treat as unimportant or trifling

3. to devote inadequate attention to (work, duties, etc)

noun

1. an act or omission indicating supercilious neglect or indifference

slight Idioms  

1. see in the least (slightest).

---

Related Words

See slender. Slight, disregard, neglect, overlook mean to pay no attention or too little attention to someone or something. To slight is to give only superficial attention to something important: to slight one's work. To disregard is to pay no attention to a person or thing: to disregard the rules; in some circumstances, to disregard may be admirable: to disregard a handicap. To neglect is to shirk paying sufficient attention to a person or thing: to neglect one's correspondence. To overlook is to fail to see someone or something (possibly because of carelessness): to overlook a bill that is due. See insult.

Other Word Forms

• overslight adjective
• slighter noun
• slightly adverb
• slightness noun

Etymology

Origin of slight

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English (adjective) “smooth, sleek, slender”; compare Old English -sliht- in eorth-slihtes “even with ground”; cognate with German schlicht, Old Norse slēttr, Gothic slaihts “smooth”

Explanation

Anything slight is very small. There's a slight chance you'll run into a celebrity in New York City — in other words, don't count on it. A slight is also an insult, like giving someone the cold shoulder. Burr. Every meaning of slight stems from the Old Norse for "small or flimsy." If you have a slight build, you're slim with small bones. A slight deviation from your plan is a tiny adjustment. As a verb, to slight means to ignore or be indifferent toward someone; it's also the noun for the act of ignoring. If you direct a movie and the star doesn't thank you in her award acceptance speech, you'll be offended at the slight.

Example Sentences

Contact on the England international was slight, with Tillman landing on the forward's boot as he fell to the ground.

From BBC • Apr. 29, 2026

Respondents said jobs were a bit easier to find, perhaps a sign of a slight pickup in hiring.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 28, 2026

The difference was slight but noticeable: Each year, people under 25 lost an average of 451 words a day, while those older than 25 lost 314 words a day.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 25, 2026

The artifacts — yellowing parchment with slight marks of stress at the edges and an intricately detailed stone tablet — are almost luminous under dim overhead lights at the exhibit.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2026

Same with Woo—he just seems asleep, with a slight pulse.

From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer

Related Words

• meager
• minor
• modest
• negligible
• slender
• slim
• superficial
• trivial