Something that is insignificant is unimportant, especially because it is very small.
In 1949 Bonn was a small, insignificant city.
Synonyms: unimportant, minor, irrelevant, petty More Synonyms of insignificant
insignificant in British English
(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
insignificance (ˌinsigˈnificance) or insignificancy (ˌinsigˈnificancy)
noun
insignificantly (ˌinsigˈnificantly)
adverb
insignificant in American English
(ˌɪnsɪgˈnɪfɪkənt)
adjective
1.
having little or no meaning
2.
having little or no importance; trivial
3.
small; unimposing
4.
low in position, character, etc.; mean
Derived forms
insignificance (ˌinsigˈnificance)
noun or ˌinsigˈnificancy
insignificantly (ˌinsigˈnificantly)
adverb
Word origin
in-2 + significant
Examples of 'insignificant' in a sentence
insignificant
To other people they may be insignificant little jumps but to us they are great leaps.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
It looks almost insignificant from the road and for most of a lengthy pedestrian approach.
Brennan, J. H. A Guide to Megalithic Ireland (1992)
But sometimes seemingly insignificant details are just what they seem.
The Times Literary Supplement (2014)
You feel insignificant measured against the great crags.
Richard Fortey THE EARTH: An Intimate History (2004)
No item was too small or insignificant to list as stolen.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
In the grand scheme of cricket this is relatively insignificant.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
An insignificant little man had been able to kill.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Sharing our vulnerabilities makes us feel less insignificant.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Let us offer a small but not insignificant example.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
And the fact that they can make one feel so insignificant.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
She views herself as so small and insignificant that if she existed in a normal body she would rattle around.
Wilkinson, Helena Beyond Chaotic Eating (1993)
It made me feel dreadfully insignificant.
LM Montgomery Anne of Green Gables (1872)
There is a temptation to view what is in absolute terms an enormous sum as a relatively insignificant percentage of overall costs.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
While his death is statistically insignificant, symbolically it is crucial.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
In its impact on each of us, it makes the banking scandals look almost insignificant.
The Sun (2013)
Be aware that you're being tested with seemingly insignificant issues.
Christianity Today (2000)
Compared to life, the little things seem insignificant.
The Sun (2016)
The difference was statistically insignificant.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The cost is almost insignificant.
Peter F. Drucker MANAGEMENT: task, responsibilities, practices (1974)
The results are as depressing as they are challenging, with seemingly insignificant bumps and bruises often resulting in frantic consultations with medical experts.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
While seemingly insignificant, these translations have had enormous impact on how we view the Bible.
Bruce Feiler WALKING THE BIBLE (2001)
In other languages
insignificant
British English: insignificant ADJECTIVE
Something that is insignificant is unimportant, especially because it is very small.
Back then this was a small, insignificant city.
American English: insignificant
Brazilian Portuguese: insignificante
Chinese: 不重要的
European Spanish: insignificante
French: insignifiant
German: unbedeutend
Italian: insignificante
Japanese: 取るに足りない
Korean: 하찮은
European Portuguese: insignificante
Latin American Spanish: insignificante
Chinese translation of 'insignificant'
insignificant
(ɪnsɪɡˈnɪfɪknt)
adj
无(無)足轻(輕)重的 (wú zú qīng zhòng de)
(adjective)
Definition
having little or no importance
In 1949 it was still a small, insignificant city.
Synonyms
unimportant
It was an unimportant job, and paid very little.
minor
She is known for a number of minor roles in films.
irrelevant
irrelevant details
petty
Rows would start over petty things.
trivial
I don't like to visit the doctor just for something trivial.
meaningless
They seek strong sensations to dull their sense of a meaningless existence.
trifling
The guests had each paid £250, no trifling sum.
meagre
negligible
Managers are convinced that the strike will have a negligible effect.
flimsy
paltry
She had no interest in such paltry concerns.
immaterial
Whether we like him or not is immaterial.
inconsequential
a reminder of how inconsequential their lives were
nondescript
measly (informal)
The average bathroom measures a measly 3.5 metres.
scanty
inconsiderable
He was a man of great charm and not inconsiderable wit.
of no consequence
nonessential
small potatoes
nickel-and-dime (US, slang)
of no account
nugatory
They wrote for the magazine for fees that were either non-existent or nugatory.
unsubstantial
not worth mentioning
of no moment
wanky (taboo, slang)
Opposites
important
,
significant
,
essential
,
vital
,
considerable
,
substantial
,
relevant
,
meaningful
,
momentous
,
weighty
,
consequential
Additional synonyms
in the sense of immaterial
Definition
of no real importance or relevance
Whether we like him or not is immaterial.
Synonyms
irrelevant,
insignificant,
unimportant,
unnecessary,
trivial,
trifling,
inconsequential,
extraneous,
inconsiderable,
of no importance,
of no consequence,
inessential,
a matter of indifference,
of little account,
inapposite
in the sense of inconsequential
Definition
unimportant or insignificant
a reminder of how inconsequential their lives were
Synonyms
unimportant,
trivial,
insignificant,
minor,
petty,
trifling,
negligible,
paltry,
immaterial,
measly (informal),
inconsiderable,
nickel-and-dime (US, slang),
of no significance
in the sense of inconsiderable
Definition
not worth considering
He was a man of great charm and not inconsiderable wit.