slightly undersized

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slightly undersized" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an object or item that is somewhat smaller than the standard or expected size. Example: "The shirt I ordered is slightly undersized, so I might need to exchange it for a larger size."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

When I first read The Borrowers aged about seven, it barely seemed fiction, apart from trivial details like the main characters being slightly undersized and living under the floorboards beneath a long case clock.

The Guardian - Books

Making her American debut on relatively short notice as a replacement for Christine Brewer, said to be recovering from an injury, Ms. Theorin sounded somewhat unsettled in her initial appearance during Act II: her sound slightly undersized, her high notes on pitch, but acidic.

The New York Times - Arts

At 311 pounds he may be slightly undersized as a center, and may need to bulk up some to thrive, and has been cited so often for his toughness and grit that it at least makes you wonder if there is some talent missing that requires so many intangibles to get into the discussion.

The New York Times

Keyboards: The smallest notebooks have slightly undersized keys that some find difficult to use, but even big notebooks move some of the keys to nonstandard places.

Forbes

Since there was sufficient ridge width and the bone was hard, we opted not to use Summer's technique [21] but used drills to take the osteotomy to its final width that was slightly undersized for a 4.7-mm implant, but wide enough to allow insertion of a balloon dilator (straight model, Osseous Technologies of America, Hamburg, NY, USA).

International Journal of Implant Dentistry

After the cut surface of the tibia was checked for proper alignment, the tibia was broached with a cruciform tibial punch slightly undersized from the real tibial keel to achieve true press fit.

BioMed Research International

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

In a 3-4, he'd be a slightly-undersized five-technique, whereas he could potentially play any position along the line in a 4-3.

The New York Times

During his four years, he averaged 7.5 rebounds per game, and developed a strong, underrated offensive post game as well, as he was used to playing as one of the biggest men on the court for the slightly-undersized Blue Jays.

Huffington Post

Although our experience may be somewhat undersized, our good results support current literature output.

CKJ: Clinical Kidney Journal

Wilson is undersized.

The Washington Post

We know we're undersized.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "slightly undersized", ensure the context clearly establishes the expected or standard size for comparison. This provides clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "slightly undersized" when the size difference is significant. This can mislead the reader and undermine the accuracy of your description.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly undersized" functions as a compound adjective, modifying a noun to indicate that it is somewhat smaller than the typical or expected size. Ludwig AI confirms this is valid English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

38%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "slightly undersized" is a grammatically correct and useful way to describe something that is a bit smaller than the expected or standard size. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It's used in a variety of contexts, from news articles and scientific papers to more informal settings. While not extremely common, it's a precise and effective way to convey a nuanced size difference. Remember to ensure the context provides a clear reference point for the expected size and avoid using it when the size difference is actually significant. Consider alternatives like "a bit small" or "marginally smaller" depending on the desired level of formality and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

marginally smaller

Emphasizes the small degree of difference in size.

a bit small

Focuses on the smallness aspect, lacking the precision of "slightly undersized".

fractionally smaller

Indicates a very small difference, often used in technical contexts.

somewhat smaller

Uses a more general term "smaller" instead of "undersized".

a tad too small

More informal and uses "tad" to indicate a small amount.

just a little small

Informal and emphasizes the small degree of difference in size.

slightly smaller than average

More verbose and explicitly compares to an average size.

reduced in size

A general description of size reduction, lacking specificity.

miniature

Implies a much smaller size, often intentionally so.

compact

Suggests efficient use of space, rather than simply being smaller than expected.

FAQs

How can I use "slightly undersized" in a sentence?

You can use "slightly undersized" to describe an object or item that is a little smaller than the standard or expected size. For example, "The replacement part was "slightly undersized", so we needed to make adjustments."

What's a more informal way to say "slightly undersized"?

Informal alternatives include "a bit small", "a tad too small", or "just a little small". The choice depends on the specific context and your desired level of informality.

Is "slightly undersized" appropriate for technical writing?

Yes, "slightly undersized" is suitable for technical writing when precision is important. Alternatives like "fractionally smaller" or "marginally smaller" might also be appropriate depending on the context.

What's the difference between "undersized" and "slightly undersized"?

"Undersized" implies a general lack of size, while "slightly undersized" indicates that the object or item is only a little smaller than expected. The addition of "slightly" adds a degree of precision and nuance.