small body

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "small body" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a physical object, organism, or celestial body that is relatively small in size compared to others in its category. Example: "The scientist discovered a small body of water hidden within the dense forest."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

His head seemed too large for his small body.

The Guardian

From one small body I made three new humans.

The New Yorker

He rested against his son, his small body curled there.

The New Yorker

We arrived at a small body of water.

The New Yorker

In her Turner prize work, there is a small body, as if lain on a bier.

The Guardian - Arts

The seat belt restraining his small body is as big as a mayor's ceremonial sash.

The New York Times - Arts

Smythe scoops her daughter's small body into her lap without a thought.

The New York Times - Magazine

For now, there is the image of a small body, public expressions of guilt, and promises.

The New Yorker

Onstage, the combination of small body and big personality only adds to Chenoweth's allure.

The New Yorker

It is amazing how many difficult steps that small body can produce, how fast.

The New Yorker

For 19 days her small body was hooked up to life support, before she died.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a person or animal, use "small body" to convey a literal description of size. When referring to a celestial object, consider context; "small body" could refer to an asteroid or comet.

Common error

Avoid using "small body" when a more specific term like "petite", "slender", or "compact" better captures the intended meaning. "Small body" is a general descriptor and may lack the nuance needed in certain contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small body" typically functions as a noun phrase, where "small" modifies the noun "body". It describes an entity characterized by its diminutive size. Ludwig examples show its use across various domains, describing both physical entities and abstract concepts like a body of research.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "small body" is a common and versatile term primarily used to describe something of reduced size, whether physical or abstract. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across diverse contexts, including news, science, and general writing. While synonyms like "tiny body" or ""little body"" offer nuances in emphasis, "small body" remains a generally neutral and broadly applicable descriptor. When using this phrase, consider the specific context to ensure clarity and avoid overly general descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

little body

Emphasizes diminutiveness and affection.

tiny body

Highlights extreme smallness or delicacy.

compact body

Focuses on the dense or space-saving nature of the body.

minor body

Implies something of less importance or scale.

reduced body

Suggests a decrease in size, possibly due to external factors.

slight physique

Refers specifically to a person's physical build.

petite form

Indicates elegance and small size.

diminutive figure

Highlights a small and often charming appearance.

narrow body

Focuses on the width of the body rather than overall size.

insignificant body

Suggests that the body is unimportant or negligible.

FAQs

How can I use "small body" in a sentence?

You can use "small body" to describe the physical size of an object or person, as in "The child had a "little body"" or "The comet is a "minor body" in our solar system".

What are some synonyms for "small body"?

Alternatives include "tiny body", "compact body", or, when referring to a person, "petite form".

Is "small body" formal or informal?

The phrase "small body" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the subject being described. It's common in scientific and news reporting as well as general conversation.

When is it appropriate to use "small body" over other similar terms?

Use "small body" when you need a general term to describe something that is physically small. For people, consider "slight physique" or "petite form" for more specific connotations. If you are referring to an amount of information, rather than a body, consider something like "limited data" or "insignificant body of evidence".