smallness

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'smallness' is an acceptable word in written English.
It is a noun that means the quality or state of being small. Example sentence: The smallness of the creature made it difficult to spot.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What seem to be generated objects (human beings, plants, animals, the moon, the stars) are instead temporary mixtures of ingredients (such as earth, air, fire, water, hair, flesh, blood, dense, dark, rare, bright, and so on).[7] The original state was one of universal mixture: "All things were together, unlimited both in amount and in smallness, for the small, too, was unlimited.

SEP

In fact I am sure that I never experienced, as a child, any kind of encounter with the sublime, that catch in the throat, that tightness of the lungs, that sudden, roaring sense of one's extreme smallness in a huge, awful, beautiful world.

The Guardian - Books

So there's good and bad in the story, as Bean himself said, there is great ness) and smallness... but in my view it is our story".

The Guardian

Mr Day wants more.He plays up his town's smallness.

The Economist

WELL before the presidents of America and China sat down for dinner at the White House on the evening of January 18th, word went out from Barack Obama's people that the very smallness of this working supper marked a new intimacy in relations.

The Economist

That holds true even for the big guys: John Hayes, the managing director of Jack Daniel's, attributes his brand's global success to "the smallness of Jack Daniel's.

The Economist

Smallness is not something you could accuse Tim of.So much period detail must have taken more research than you are used to.I've been in lower-level research reading and so on since the late 1990s.

The Economist

If anything, New Zealand should do the reverse: press on with reform, as most other economies around the world are now doing.New Zealand's smallness and remoteness mattered less when it produced mainly for the British market and when people had less choice about where to work and invest.

The Economist

But the requirement for reciprocity also scares them: "What does the United States want in reciprocity from a country like St Kitts, with 40,000 people?" asks Richard Bernal, the region's head negotiator.However, argues Alvin Wint of the University of the West Indies in a recent paper, smallness is not always a handicap.

The Economist

The smallness of that bump would be a big deal politically.

The Economist

Small as he was (though always ready to defend himself, packing a knife in his pocket, as a student in Warsaw, against anti-Semitic hoodlums), he was obsessed with the smallness of Israel, its vulnerability, the hostility of its neighbours.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "smallness" when referring to the state, quality, or degree of being small. It's suitable for both physical dimensions and abstract concepts.

Common error

Avoid using "smallness" when you actually mean "simplicity" or "lack of complexity". "Smallness" refers to size or degree, while "simplicity" refers to the absence of complexity. For example, instead of saying "the smallness of the design is appealing", consider "the simplicity of the design is appealing".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "smallness" is as a noun. It denotes the state or quality of being small. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in written English, highlighting its use in describing a quality or state.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

26%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

3%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "smallness" functions as a noun denoting the quality or state of being small. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts. While alternatives like "littleness" or "insignificance" exist, the best choice depends on the specific nuance you intend to convey. Remember to differentiate "smallness" from related but distinct concepts like "simplicity". Its frequency in news, encyclopedias, and scientific sources suggests a neutral register, suitable for diverse audiences. Therefore, use "smallness" confidently when precision requires a noun highlighting a reduced state.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

littleness

Focuses on the physical size aspect of being small.

diminutiveness

Emphasizes a reduced or miniature quality.

tininess

Emphasizes extreme small size.

miniaturization

Highlights the process or result of making something smaller.

insignificance

Indicates a lack of importance or consequence.

pettiness

Implies meanness or a lack of generosity, related to small-mindedness.

compactness

Refers to being tightly packed or taking up little space.

shortness

Focuses on a limited length or duration.

brevity

Highlights conciseness and a reduced use of words or time.

exiguity

Refers to a scarcity or limited quantity.

FAQs

How can I use "smallness" in a sentence?

You can use "smallness" to describe the quality or state of being small. For example, "The "smallness of the room" made it feel cozy" or "He was overwhelmed by the "smallness of his role" in the project".

What words can I use instead of "smallness"?

Alternatives to "smallness" include "littleness", "diminutiveness", or "insignificance", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "the smallness of the issue"?

Yes, it is correct to say "the smallness of the issue" if you are referring to the limited scope, importance, or impact of the issue. It implies that the issue is not significant or widespread.

What is the difference between "smallness" and "simplicity"?

"Smallness" refers to physical or conceptual size or degree, while "simplicity" refers to the lack of complexity or intricacy. You would describe the dimensions of a room using "smallness", but the design of a website using "simplicity".