slight
UK: slaɪt | US: slaɪt
adj. small in degree; insignificant
adj. slender or delicate in build
vt. to treat with disrespect or indifference
n. an act of disrespect or indifference
No data yet.
The word "slight" originates from Old English slēan (to strike, weaken) combined with the suffix -iht, implying a diminutive or qualitative state. Over time, it evolved from meaning "smooth" or "slender" (Middle English) to its modern senses of "insignificant" or "disrespectful." The shift reflects how physical delicacy metaphorically extended to social or quantitative insignificance.
She gave him a slight nod but didn’t speak.
The difference in their scores was very slight.
He felt slighted when his idea was ignored.
Her slight frame made her appear younger.
It was a slight oversight, not a major error.