slight

UK:*UK and possibly other pronunciationsUK and possibly other pronunciations/ˈslaɪt/US:USA pronunciation: IPA and respellingUSA pronunciation: IPA/slaɪt/ ,USA pronunciation: respelling(slīt)

Inflections of 'slight' (adj):
slighter
adj comparative
slightest
adj superlative

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025
slight /slaɪt/USA pronunciation   adj., -er, -est, v., n. 
adj. 
  1. small in amount, degree, etc.:I heard a slight noise.
  2. of little importance, influence, etc.;
    trivial:only a slight difference between what he says and what you say.
  3. slender or slim;
    light in build:She was slight and had delicate features.
  4. of little substance or strength.

v. [+ object]
  1. to treat (someone) as if he or she were unimportant:didn't mean to slight the dinner guest.

n. [countable]
  1. an instance of treating someone as unimportant:a deliberate slight.
slight•ed, adj.: I felt slighted that I was not invited to the party.
slight•ly, adv.: slightly overweight.
slight•ness, n. [uncountable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025
slight  (slīt),USA pronunciation adj., -er, -est, v., n., 
adj. 
  1. small in amount, degree, etc.:a slight increase; a slight odor.
  2. of little importance, influence, etc.;
    trivial:a slight cut.
  3. slender or slim;
    not heavily built.
  4. frail;
    flimsy;
    delicate:a slight fabric.
  5. of little substance or strength.

v.t. 
  1. to treat as of little importance.
  2. to treat (someone) with indifference;
    ignore, esp. pointedly or contemptuously;
    snub:to be slighted by society.
  3. to do negligently;
    scamp:to slight one's studies.

n. 
  1. an act or instance of slighting indifference or treatment:Slights marred his work.
  2. a pointed and contemptuous discourtesy;
    affront:She considered not being invited an unforgivable slight.
  • 1250–1300; Middle English (adjective, adjectival) smooth, sleek, slender; compare Old English -sliht- in eorth-slihtes even with ground; cognate with German schlicht, Old Norse slēttr, Gothic slaihts smooth
slighter, n. 
slightly, adv. 
slightness, n. 
    • 2.See corresponding entry in Unabridged insignificant, trifling, paltry.
    • 3.See corresponding entry in Unabridged See slender. 
    • 4.See corresponding entry in Unabridged weak, feeble, fragile.
    • 5.See corresponding entry in Unabridged unsubstantial, inconsiderable.
    • 6.See corresponding entry in Unabridged disdain, scorn.
      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.
    • 9.See corresponding entry in Unabridged neglect, disregard, inattention; disdain, scorn.
    • 10.See corresponding entry in Unabridged See insult. 
    • 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged considerable.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
slight / slaɪt/
  1. small in quantity or extent
  2. of small importance; trifling
  3. slim and delicate
  4. lacking in strength or substance
(transitive)
  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)
  1. an act or omission indicating supercilious neglect or indifference
Etymology: 13th Century: from Old Norse slēttr smooth; related to Old High German slehtr, Gothic slaihts, Middle Dutch slecht simpleˈslightness
'slight' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
Collocations: [an arrogant, a deliberate, a tactical] slight, a slight from the rival candidate, perceived a slight from her [rival, coworker], more...

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