small
/smɔːl/
adjective
Origin
Proto-Germanic
*smalaz — small, little
Overview
Meaning Now
- Of a size that is less than normal or usual.
- Lacking importance, influence, or power.
- Narrow in scope or capacity.
Language path
Proto-Germanic → Old English → Middle English → English
Earliest form
smæl
Earliest period
Old English period
Journey
The word descends from a common Germanic adjective that originally denoted not just lack of size, but also thinness or slender proportions. In Old English, 'smæl' frequently described narrow objects like cloth or reeds before the meaning generalized to refer to overall physical dimensions.
Evolution
- Proto-Germanic
*smalaz
“small, trivial”
- Old English
smæl
“narrow, thin, small”
Used both for size and thinness/slenderness.
- Middle English
smal
“small, little”
- Modern English
small
“of little size”
Standardized spelling with double-l.
Connections
Word parts
small
root
small
Related across languages
German
narrow, slender
Dutch
smal
narrow
Old Norse
smalr
small
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Related to small
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.