slight
1 of 3adjective
ˈslīt 
1
a
: having a slim or delicate build : not stout or massive in body
b
: lacking in strength or substance : flimsy, frail
c
: deficient in weight, solidity, or importance : trivial
a slight movie
2
: small of its kind or in amount
a slight chance
a slight odor of gas
slightly adverb
slightness noun
slight
2 of 3verb
slighted; slighting; slights
transitive verb
1
: to treat as slight or unimportant : make light of
2
: to treat with disdain or indifference
slight a guest
3
: to perform or attend to carelessly and inadequately
don't slight your work
slight
3 of 3noun
1
: an act or an instance of slighting
2
: an instance of being slighted : a humiliating discourtesy
Synonyms
Adjective
- asthenic
- debilitated
- delicate
- down-and-out
- effete
- enervated
- enfeebled
- faint
- feeble
- frail
- infirm
- languid
- low
- prostrate
- prostrated
- sapped
- soft
- softened
- tender
- unsubstantial
- wasted
- weak
- weakened
- wimpish
- wimpy
Verb
- affront
- dis [slang]
- diss
- disrespect
- insult
- offend
- outrage
- slap
- wound
Noun
- affront
- barb
- brickbat
- cut
- dart
- dig
- dis [slang]
- diss
- epithet
- gird
- indignity
- insult
- name
- offense
- offence
- outrage
- personality
- poke
- put-down
- sarcasm
- slap
- slur
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Adjective There is a slight chance of rain. Her head is tilted at a slight angle in the picture. If you have even the slightest doubt, then don't do it. Verb I'm sure he didn't mean to slight you. He was slighted by his colleagues. Noun refused to respond to their petty slights See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Catherine Lucey, WSJ, 5 Sep. 2022 Expectations over the next six months are mixed at best: Only 14% expect business conditions to improve, relative to 14.6% in June, and 27.2% expect business conditions to worsen, which is a slight improvement from 29.7% in June, but still grim. Christos A. Makridis, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2022 There was still a slight improvement in graphics after downloading the game versus playing over the cloud, but overall, the feature works well. Alec Scherma, Good Housekeeping, 17 Aug. 2022 The ranking is a slight improvement from Miami’s No. 17 spot in the preseason USA Today Coaches Poll. Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2022 Gary students in grades 3-8 showed slight improvement with 2% passing both English/language arts and math. Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 2 Aug. 2022 Another newer study supports this line of thinking: When men were given either L-theanine or a placebo, those who took the L-theanine saw only a slight improvement in their anxiety, not a significant one. Brierley Horton, Ms, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 July 2022 The numbers prove it: Benter shot 44.9% from the 3-point line as a sophomore (93-for-207), a slight improvement from 43.5% as a freshman. The Indianapolis Star, 15 July 2022 Recent rains have brought slight improvement in in SW Alaska. Morgan Krakow, Anchorage Daily News, 8 July 2022 Chris Willman, Variety, 7 July 2022 This is not to slight Yao Dogbe, Yetunde Felix-Ukwu and Joel Ashur, all of whom provide giddy portraits of the sleazy manipulation, craven desperation and boundless self-regard inherent in an industry of vanity everlasting. Peter Marks, Washington Post, 21 June 2022 To say that music was another backdrop for partying is not to slight the music. Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2022 That’s not to slight the Navy, but, to be frank, the Navy’s management record on Red Hill is pretty poor. Craig Hooper, Forbes, 1 Feb. 2022 Since March, the law has been used at least 15 times to punish people who slight party history. New York Times, 2 Nov. 2021 For Claire, stepping back from her bright career would slight Martha, who could never afford such comforts. Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2021 The response Miss Manners dislikes is your assumption that the host intended to slight some of her guests and hog all the wine for her end of the table. Washington Post, 28 June 2021 Super Cruise’s accident rate is superb at present, while Tesla’s accident rate with Autopilot on is similar to or slight worse than with Autopilot off. Brad Templeton, Forbes, 28 May 2021 Mike Wass, Variety, 19 Aug. 2022 Staley believes the slight was an indictment on the disrespect for women’s sports. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 23 July 2022 Seen from the perspective of his reckless gamble in Ukraine, a picture emerges of a man who seized on almost every move by the West as a slight against Russia — and perhaps also himself. New York Times, 26 Mar. 2022 Tom’s slight of them in his eight-page retirement scribble was intentional. Nick Canepa Columnist, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2022 The rookie hit a chopper to second baseman Andres Gimenez, Schoop broke for home immediately and used a textbook hook slight around the outside of the plate to beat the tag by Sandy Leon. Tony Garcia, Detroit Free Press, 5 July 2022 Earlier this month, fan favorite Jonathan Levin’s departure was announced via one sentence buried at the bottom of a press release — a slight to a player who had developed into a fan favorite. Theo Mackie, The Arizona Republic, 4 July 2022 Five-foot-three Natalie Portman, slight of build and high of voice, has always been a naturally petite presence. Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 22 June 2022 That’s no slight on Diep, who was proudly assigned to hold the championship trophy despite her losses to the section’s top female player. Ramon Scott, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 May 2022 See More
Adjective
That is a slight improvement from a WSJ poll in March, when 34% approved of his response to inflation and high costs and 63% didn’t approve. Catherine Lucey, WSJ, 5 Sep. 2022 Expectations over the next six months are mixed at best: Only 14% expect business conditions to improve, relative to 14.6% in June, and 27.2% expect business conditions to worsen, which is a slight improvement from 29.7% in June, but still grim. Christos A. Makridis, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2022 There was still a slight improvement in graphics after downloading the game versus playing over the cloud, but overall, the feature works well. Alec Scherma, Good Housekeeping, 17 Aug. 2022 The ranking is a slight improvement from Miami’s No. 17 spot in the preseason USA Today Coaches Poll. Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2022 Gary students in grades 3-8 showed slight improvement with 2% passing both English/language arts and math. Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 2 Aug. 2022 Another newer study supports this line of thinking: When men were given either L-theanine or a placebo, those who took the L-theanine saw only a slight improvement in their anxiety, not a significant one. Brierley Horton, Ms, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 July 2022 The numbers prove it: Benter shot 44.9% from the 3-point line as a sophomore (93-for-207), a slight improvement from 43.5% as a freshman. The Indianapolis Star, 15 July 2022 Recent rains have brought slight improvement in in SW Alaska. Morgan Krakow, Anchorage Daily News, 8 July 2022 Verb
This is not to slight the even more pioneering types who invented country-rock in the two decades prior to that. Chris Willman, Variety, 7 July 2022 This is not to slight Yao Dogbe, Yetunde Felix-Ukwu and Joel Ashur, all of whom provide giddy portraits of the sleazy manipulation, craven desperation and boundless self-regard inherent in an industry of vanity everlasting. Peter Marks, Washington Post, 21 June 2022 To say that music was another backdrop for partying is not to slight the music. Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2022 That’s not to slight the Navy, but, to be frank, the Navy’s management record on Red Hill is pretty poor. Craig Hooper, Forbes, 1 Feb. 2022 Since March, the law has been used at least 15 times to punish people who slight party history. New York Times, 2 Nov. 2021 For Claire, stepping back from her bright career would slight Martha, who could never afford such comforts. Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2021 The response Miss Manners dislikes is your assumption that the host intended to slight some of her guests and hog all the wine for her end of the table. Washington Post, 28 June 2021 Super Cruise’s accident rate is superb at present, while Tesla’s accident rate with Autopilot on is similar to or slight worse than with Autopilot off. Brad Templeton, Forbes, 28 May 2021 Noun
While approaches vary, the composers nominated for outstanding original main title theme music at the 74th Primetime Emmy Awards are united in confronting the slight with good humor and unbridled creativity. Mike Wass, Variety, 19 Aug. 2022 Staley believes the slight was an indictment on the disrespect for women’s sports. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 23 July 2022 Seen from the perspective of his reckless gamble in Ukraine, a picture emerges of a man who seized on almost every move by the West as a slight against Russia — and perhaps also himself. New York Times, 26 Mar. 2022 Tom’s slight of them in his eight-page retirement scribble was intentional. Nick Canepa Columnist, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2022 The rookie hit a chopper to second baseman Andres Gimenez, Schoop broke for home immediately and used a textbook hook slight around the outside of the plate to beat the tag by Sandy Leon. Tony Garcia, Detroit Free Press, 5 July 2022 Earlier this month, fan favorite Jonathan Levin’s departure was announced via one sentence buried at the bottom of a press release — a slight to a player who had developed into a fan favorite. Theo Mackie, The Arizona Republic, 4 July 2022 Five-foot-three Natalie Portman, slight of build and high of voice, has always been a naturally petite presence. Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 22 June 2022 That’s no slight on Diep, who was proudly assigned to hold the championship trophy despite her losses to the section’s top female player. Ramon Scott, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 May 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Adjective
Middle English, smooth, slight, probably from Old English sliht- (in eorth-slihtes level with the ground); akin to Old High German sleht smooth, slīhhan to glide — more at slick entry 2
First Known Use
Adjective
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb
1586, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun
1701, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
slight 1 of 3
adjective
ˈslīt
slighter; slightest
1
: small of its kind or in amount
A slight frown puckered her forehead. Eleanor Estes, The Hundred Dresses
Eleanor Estes, The Hundred Dresses2
: thin and delicate
a trim slight figure
3
: not important : trivial
a slight wound
4
: flimsy, frail
slight
2 of 3verb
slighted; slighting
: to treat without proper respect or courtesy
I didn't mean to slight her.
slight
3 of 3noun
1
: an act or an instance of treating without proper respect or courtesy It was a deliberate slight to ignore me.
2
: an instance of being treated without proper respect or courtesy
slight 1 of 3
adjective
1
as in weak
lacking bodily strength a small lad with a slight build Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- weak
- weakened
- faint
- feeble
- frail
- softened
- soft
- languid
- low
- unsubstantial
- disabled
- wimpy
- asthenic
- sapped
- delicate
- tender
- wasted
- paralyzed
- tired
- vulnerable
- debilitated
- effete
- prostrated
- wimpish
- infirm
- enfeebled
- exhausted
- prostrate
- injured
- weary
- incapacitated
- enervated
- fragile
- challenged
- susceptible
- hurt
- drained
- down-and-out
- unsteady
- invalid
- rocky
- lame
- flimsy
- damaged
- dizzy
- yielding
- impaired
- woozy
- powerless
- decrepit
- impotent
- groggy
- flagging
- breakable
- resistless
- harmed
- broken-down
- unresistant
- unsound
- worn-out
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- strong
- powerful
- mighty
- muscular
- stout
- stalwart
- hard
- beefy
- husky
- fit
- athletic
- robust
- brawny
- sinewy
- rugged
- virile
- tough
- lusty
- sturdy
- hardy
- vigorous
- strapping
- hardened
- sound
- energetic
- strengthened
- fortified
- capable
- toughened
- healthy
- competent
- hale
- inured
- energized
- vitalized
- red-blooded
- recovering
- able-bodied
- invigorated
- convalescing
- recuperating
2
as in minor
lacking importance a slight comedy that did nothing to further her career Synonyms & Similar Words
- minor
- small
- little
- trivial
- trifling
- inconsiderable
- negligible
- insignificant
- incidental
- unimportant
- minute
- worthless
- fiddling
- foolish
- inconsequential
- frivolous
- petty
- nugatory
- neither here nor there
- small-fry
- Mickey Mouse
- obscure
- paltry
- unknown
- anonymous
- jerkwater
- one-horse
- small-time
- uncelebrated
- nameless
- nickel-and-dime
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- significant
- substantial
- major
- big
- important
- meaningful
- momentous
- fatal
- consequential
- weighty
- decisive
- dominant
- prominent
- eventful
- remarkable
- material
- distinctive
- fateful
- principal
- overriding
- impressive
- chief
- outstanding
- exceptional
- great
- overbearing
- worthy
- valuable
- worthwhile
- unfrivolous
- distinguished
- basic
- eminent
- fundamental
- overmastering
- illustrious
- key
- notorious
- famous
- essential
- prestigious
- renowned
- preeminent
- all-important
3
as in little
of a size that is less than average the slight youth packed a surprisingly solid punch Synonyms & Similar Words
- little
- small
- diminutive
- pocket
- tiny
- fine
- smallish
- sparse
- puny
- miniature
- dwarfish
- slender
- dwarf
- bantam
- dinky
- subnormal
- spare
- minuscule
- undersized
- lacking
- mini
- stunted
- poor
- pygmy
- miniaturized
- toylike
- shrimpy
- microscopic
- undersize
- insufficient
- teensy
- pint-sized
- wee
- infinitesimal
- pocket-sized
- micro
- teeny
- inappreciable
- pocket-size
- scant
- pint-size
- meager
- Lilliputian
- pinpoint
- half-pint
- weeny
- bitty
- toy
- minute
- slim
- inadequate
- scrubby
- minim
- little bitty
- scanty
- scarce
- runty
- weensy
- skimpy
- minikin
- teensy-weensy
- microscopical
- stingy
- wanting
- teeny-weeny
- skimp
- deficient
- meagre
- capsule
- niggardly
- runtish
- bite-sized
- bite-size
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- considerable
- substantial
- large
- sizeable
- sizable
- great
- big
- massive
- huge
- tremendous
- whopping
- goodly
- outsized
- enormous
- appreciable
- hefty
- immense
- grand
- vast
- outsize
- oversized
- handsome
- largish
- husky
- gigantic
- gross
- oversize
- colossal
- ample
- giant
- voluminous
- bulky
- tidy
- monumental
- prodigious
- staggering
- stupendous
- monstrous
- copious
- mountainous
- humongous
- gargantuan
- galactic
- generous
- mammoth
- elephantine
- cavernous
- titanic
- heroic
- abundant
- biggish
- liberal
- herculean
- monolithic
- wide
- broad
- jumbo
- heroical
- cyclopean
- healthy
- plentiful
- whacking
- overscale
- thick
- overscaled
- bountiful
- boxcar
- hulking
- plenteous
- humungous
- pharaonic
- sufficient
- fat
- king-sized
- enough
- infinite
- king-size
- adequate
- cosmic
- immeasurable
- incalculable
- boundless
- leviathan
- Brobdingnagian
- cosmical
- Bunyanesque
- Himalayan
4
as in nominal
so small or unimportant as to warrant little or no attention apart from a slight fishy taste, the dish was fine Synonyms & Similar Words
- nominal
- petty
- minute
- tiny
- negligible
- little
- trivial
- niggling
- trifling
- inconsiderable
- insignificant
- measly
- peanut
- piddling
- piffling
- inconsequential
- paltry
- picayune
- footling
- piddly
- de minimis
- pimping
- imperceptible
- chicken
- mean
- inappreciable
- no-account
- puny
- Mickey Mouse
- quibbling
- nitpicking
- inferior
- hairsplitting
- pettifogging
- two-bit
- small-fry
- one-horse
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- considerable
- significant
- substantial
- serious
- big
- important
- material
- consequential
- prominent
- appreciable
- striking
- momentous
- remarkable
- conspicuous
- discernible
- noteworthy
- outstanding
- pivotal
- weighty
- measurable
- discernable
- eventful
5
as in small
small in degree only a slight chance of success Synonyms & Similar Words
- small
- off
- slim
- negligible
- minimal
- minor
- marginal
- outside
- tiny
- little
- remote
- fragile
- frail
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- good
- large
- great
- significant
- significant
- distinct
- considerable
- substantial
- sizable
- sizeable
- respectable
- healthy
- goodly
- largish
- tidy
slight
2 of 3noun
as in insult
an act or expression showing scorn and usually intended to hurt another's feelings refused to respond to their petty slights Synonyms & Similar Words
- insult
- sarcasm
- offence
- indignity
- slap
- affront
- outrage
- slur
- name
- barb
- dart
- personality
- attack
- dis
- offense
- poke
- sneer
- cut
- epithet
- diss
- dig
- jibe
- gird
- criticism
- shame
- taunt
- disgrace
- gibe
- mock
- brickbat
- disapproval
- put-down
- jeer
- abuse
- swipe
- knock
- quip
- vituperation
- catcall
- dishonor
- invective
- opprobrium
- torment
- torture
- slam
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- compliment
- praise
- commendation
- applause
- acclaim
- flattery
- accolade
- adulation
slight
3 of 3verb
1
as in to insult
to cause hurt feelings or deep resentment in the dancers felt slighted by the harsh comments of the judges Synonyms & Similar Words
- insult
- offend
- outrage
- affront
- slap
- wound
- trouble
- taunt
- disrespect
- upset
- disturb
- displease
- hurt
- pain
- mock
- dis
- diss
- distress
- snub
- ridicule
- miff
- cut
- malign
- slur
- torment
- smear
- jeer
- disparage
- slander
- revile
- torture
- oppress
- libel
- defame
- sneer (at)
- persecute
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- approve
- hail
- applaud
- compliment
- commend
- flatter
- praise
- acclaim
- honor
- please
- delight
- eulogize
- exalt
- satisfy
- gratify
- glorify
- sweet-talk
- adulate
2
as in to stiff
to deliberately ignore or treat rudely as a temp worker, she often feels slighted by the people she has to work with Synonyms & Similar Words
- stiff
- isolate
- snub
- cut
- repulse
- reject
- repel
- neglect
- overlook
- cold-shoulder
- disdain
- rebuff
- forget
- high-hat
- disregard
- spurn
- scorn
- stiff-arm
- ostracize
- shrug off
- pass over
- brush (aside or off)
- overpass
3
as in to disdain
to show contempt for music critics who slight any style of music that doesn't fit their personal taste Synonyms & Similar Words
- disdain
- disrespect
- hate
- snub
- despise
- scorn
- walk over
- diss
- contemn
- snoot
- dis
- sneeze at
- sniff (at)
- high-hat
- belittle
- look down (on or upon)
- scout
- abhor
- loathe
- detest
- disparage
- thumb one's nose (at)
- look down one's nose (at)
- deplore
- abominate
- deprecate
- discountenance
- disfavor
- frown (on or upon)
- execrate
- disapprove (of)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- respect
- honor
- value
- prize
- cherish
- treasure
- admire
- accept
- appreciate
- okay
- esteem
- countenance
- approve (of)
- favor
- revere
- care (for)
- subscribe (to)
- venerate
- lionize
- worship
- hallow
- OK
4
as in to ignore
to fail to give proper attention to slighted several major authors in her survey of 20th-century fiction Synonyms & Similar Words
- ignore
- forget
- overlook
- disregard
- neglect
- miss
- bypass
- pass over
- omit
- reject
- scant
- overpass
- disdain
- slur (over)
- shrug off
- scorn
- fail
- sluff (off)
- skimp
- pooh
- pooh-pooh
- slough (off)
- brush (aside or off)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- tend (to)
- regard
- appreciate
- heed
- attend (to)
- mind
- value
- remember
- prize
- treasure
- notice
- foster
- cultivate
- note
- nurse
- cherish
- listen (to)
- follow
- mark
- watch
- observe
- nurture
- remark
- pamper
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of slight are slender, slim, tenuous, and thin. While all these words mean "not thick, broad, abundant, or dense," slight implies smallness as well as thinness.
a slight build
While in some cases nearly identical to slight, slender implies leanness or spareness often with grace and good proportion.
the slender legs of a Sheraton chair
The words slim and slight can be used in similar contexts, but slim applies to slenderness that suggests fragility or scantiness.
a slim volume of poetry
a slim chance
The synonyms tenuous and slight are sometimes interchangeable, but tenuous implies extreme thinness, sheerness, or lack of substance and firmness.
a tenuous thread
The meanings of thin and slight largely overlap; however, thin implies comparatively little extension between surfaces or in diameter, or it may imply lack of substance, richness, or abundance.
thin wire
a thin soup