Dictionary

1slight

adjective \ˈslīt\

: very small in degree or amount

: thin and not very strong or muscular

Full Definition of SLIGHT

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>
slight·ly adverb
slight·ness noun
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Origin of SLIGHT

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
First Known Use: 14th century

Synonym Discussion of SLIGHT

thin, slender, slim, slight, tenuous mean not thick, broad, abundant, or dense. 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>. slender implies leanness or spareness often with grace and good proportion <the slender legs of a Sheraton chair>. slim applies to slenderness that suggests fragility or scantiness <a slim volume of poetry> <a slim chance>. slight implies smallness as well as thinness <a slight build>. tenuous implies extreme thinness, sheerness, or lack of substance and firmness <a tenuous thread>.

2slight

transitive verb

: to offend or insult (someone) : to treat (someone) with disrespect

Full Definition of SLIGHT

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>

First Known Use of SLIGHT

1586

Synonym Discussion of SLIGHT

neglect, disregard, ignore, overlook, slight, forget mean to pass over without giving due attention. neglect implies giving insufficient attention to something that merits one's attention <habitually neglected his studies>. disregard suggests voluntary inattention <disregarded the wishes of his family>. ignore implies a failure to regard something obvious <ignored the snide remark>. overlook suggests disregarding or ignoring through haste or lack of care <in my rush I overlooked a key example>. slight implies contemptuous or disdainful disregarding or omitting <slighted several major authors in her survey>. forget may suggest either a willful ignoring or a failure to impress something on one's mind <forget what others say>.

3slight

noun

Definition of SLIGHT

1
:  an act or an instance of slighting
2
:  an instance of being slighted :  a humiliating discourtesy

First Known Use of SLIGHT

1701
SLIGHTLY Defined for Kids

1slight

adjective \ˈslīt\
slight·erslight·est

Definition of SLIGHT for Kids

1
:  small of its kind or in amount <A slight frown puckered her forehead. — Eleanor Estes, The Hundred Dresses>
2
:  thin and delicate <a trim slight figure>
3
:  not important :  trivial <a slight wound>
4
:  flimsy, frail
slight·ly adverb

2slight

verb
slight·edslight·ing

Definition of SLIGHT for Kids

:  to treat without proper respect or courtesy <I didn't mean to slight her.>

3slight

noun

Definition of SLIGHT for Kids

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

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