First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1slight
adjective \ˈslīt\
: very small in degree or amount
: thin and not very strong or muscular
Full Definition of SLIGHT
1
2
: small of its kind or in amount <a slight chance> <a slight odor of gas>
— slight·ly adverb
— slight·ness noun
See slight defined for English-language learners
See slight defined for kids
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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
Related to SLIGHT
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
Related to SLIGHT
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
SLIGHTEST 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>
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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