slightly larger than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'slightly larger than' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the size of one thing relative to another. For example, you could say: "My office is slightly larger than the average cubicle."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The pieces are created just slightly larger than life to portray a larger-than-life woman.

Vice

Or just slightly larger than microscopic.

The New Yorker

It is slightly larger than life.

The Guardian - Arts

(They're slightly larger than cigarette packets).

The New York Times - Arts

The British label XL Recordings is slightly larger than Merge.

The New Yorker

MannKind's inhaler is only slightly larger than a cellphone.

The New York Times

The inventory decline was slightly larger than expected.

The New York Times

It is slightly larger than the average newsstand magazine.

The New York Times

Two-toed sloths are slightly larger than three-toed sloths.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The standard error is slightly larger than the average error.

The New York Times

Cut the pastry so it is slightly larger than the tray.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing sizes, ensure you specify the units of measurement if precision is needed. For example, instead of saying "The room is "slightly larger than" the other", specify "The room is "slightly larger than" the other, about 2 square feet larger".

Common error

Avoid using "slightly larger than" when the size difference is significant. If the difference is noticeable, consider using "considerably larger than" or "significantly larger than" instead to avoid misleading your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly larger than" functions as a comparative qualifier. It modifies a noun by indicating its size relative to another noun, implying that the first noun is somewhat bigger than the second. Ludwig provides many examples of this use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Wiki

20%

Science

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

5%

Huffington Post

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "slightly larger than" is a common and grammatically correct way to compare the size of two items, indicating that one is a bit bigger than the other. As shown by Ludwig, it's frequently used across diverse contexts, including news, science, and general writing. The Ludwig AI confirms its usability. While semantically similar alternatives exist, such as "just larger than" or "a bit larger than", choosing the right phrase depends on the desired level of formality and the degree of size difference you want to convey. When using "slightly larger than", ensure that the context makes clear what you are comparing, and avoid overstating the size difference if it is actually quite significant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just larger than

Indicates minimal size difference; emphasizes nearness to a size threshold.

barely larger than

Highlights that the size difference is minimal and almost negligible.

a bit larger than

More informal way to express a small size difference.

somewhat larger than

Indicates a moderate difference in size; less precise than "slightly".

marginally larger than

Implies that the size difference is very small and perhaps insignificant.

negligibly larger than

Emphasizes that the size difference is so small it's not worth considering.

fractionally larger than

Suggests an extremely small difference, typically in technical or precise contexts.

a tad larger than

Informal way to convey a small, almost unnoticeable size difference.

scarcely larger than

Emphasizes the smallness of the size difference and can sometimes imply surprise.

only just larger than

Highlights the fact that the size is just exceeding another object's size.

FAQs

How can I use "slightly larger than" in a sentence?

You can use "slightly larger than" to compare the sizes of two objects, indicating a small size difference. For example, "This box is "slightly larger than" the other one".

What is a more formal alternative to "slightly larger than"?

For a more formal tone, you could use "marginally larger than" or "negligibly larger than", depending on how minimal the size difference is.

Is it correct to say "a little larger than" instead of "slightly larger than"?

Yes, "a little larger than" is a perfectly acceptable and more informal alternative to "slightly larger than". Both phrases convey a similar meaning.

What's the difference between "slightly bigger than" and "slightly larger than"?

While the terms are often interchangeable, "slightly larger than" typically refers to physical dimensions or volume, whereas "slightly bigger than" can also apply to abstract concepts like importance or influence.