small for their age

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "small for their age" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing someone, typically a child, who is physically smaller than what is typical for their age group. Example: "Despite being ten years old, he is small for his age and often gets mistaken for a younger child."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

"Awfully small for their age," he said shaking his head".

The New Yorker

"They were so tiny, small for their age.

The New York Times - Sports

More than 160 million children are malnourished and small for their age.

The Guardian

One study, co-sponsored by the United Nations World Food Program, found that longstanding malnutrition had left 62percentt of Korean children small for their age.

The New York Times

According to UNICEF, around 46 percent  of Indian children below 3 years of age are "too small for their age", while 16 percent are "wasted".

The New York Times

State regulations say a child can't be hired until age 9, so the directors hired four boys who are small for their age to rotate in the role.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Calculate dosage based on weight if possible, since some children may be large or small for their ages.

WikiHow

The methodological approach we take is to examine the structure of the semantic networks of children who have typical or very small vocabularies for their age and gender.

Plosone

Globally, one in four children under the age of five are stunted, meaning they are significantly smaller than expected for their age due to malnutrition.

Huffington Post

Dr. Ross says that other children who can benefit from growth hormone therapy are those who were born small for their gestational age and who fail to catch up by age 2 or so; girls born with a chromosomal abnormality called Turner syndrome; and children with genetic disorders called SHOX deficiency and Noonan syndrome.

The New York Times - Health

Children born by IVF and other methods were also 26% more likely to be small for their gestational age.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "small for their age", consider specifying the aspect of smallness (height, weight, overall size) if relevant to provide more clarity.

Common error

Avoid assuming malnutrition or illness as the sole cause without proper assessment. Being "small for their age" can also be due to genetic factors or normal variation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small for their age" functions as a descriptive phrase, typically used to modify a noun (e.g., child, person). It specifies that an individual's physical size is less than what is generally expected for their age group. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely accepted.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Academia

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "small for their age" is a descriptive term used to indicate that an individual, usually a child, is physically smaller than what is typical for their age group. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and acceptability across various contexts. This analysis shows that while the phrase is commonly found in News & Media and Scientific sources, it also appears in Formal & Business contexts. When using this phrase, it is important to consider potential causes and avoid overgeneralizations. Alternatives like "undersized for their age" or "petite for their age" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

undersized for their age

Focuses on being below the typical size range.

underdeveloped for their age

Emphasizes a lack of physical or cognitive maturity.

petite for their age

Suggests a small and delicate build, often used for girls.

shorter than average for their age

Specifically refers to height as the defining characteristic.

of diminutive stature for their age

A more formal and less common way to describe small size.

not as big as others their age

A simpler and more direct comparison to peers.

lacking in growth for their age

Highlights a deficiency in the growth process.

stunted in growth for their age

Indicates a significant impairment of normal development.

delayed in development for their age

Broader term referring to overall developmental delays.

behind the curve physically

An idiomatic expression indicating a slower rate of physical progress.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "small for their age"?

Use "small for their age" when describing a child or individual whose physical size is notably less than what is typically expected for someone of their age group. This can apply to height, weight, or overall body dimensions.

What are some potential causes of being "small for their age"?

Potential causes can include genetic factors, malnutrition, underlying medical conditions, or hormonal imbalances. It's important to consult with a healthcare professional to determine the specific cause.

Are there alternative phrases to "small for their age" that I can use?

You can use alternatives like "undersized for their age", "petite for their age", or "underdeveloped for their age" depending on the specific context.

What is the difference between "small for their age" and "small for gestational age"?

"Small for their age" refers to children or individuals who are smaller than expected for their chronological age after birth. "Small for gestational age" is used to describe newborns whose size is less than expected based on their gestational age at birth.