tiny
Describes something that is very small in size, amount, or degree. It is more emphatic than the word 'small' and is often used to highlight how little something is.
Examples
3 of 5The bird ate a tiny piece of bread from the ground.
The bird ate a very small bit of bread from the floor.
The laboratory results showed a tiny change in the chemical structure.
The lab results indicated a very small modification in the chemical makeup.
I only want a tiny bit of ice cream because I am full.
I just want a very small amount of ice cream since I have eaten enough.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of a 'tin' can that is so small it can only hold one single pea.
Quick Quiz
The insect was so ___ that I could barely see it on the leaf.
Correct!
The correct answer is: tiny
Examples
The bird ate a tiny piece of bread from the ground.
everydayThe bird ate a very small bit of bread from the floor.
The laboratory results showed a tiny change in the chemical structure.
formalThe lab results indicated a very small modification in the chemical makeup.
I only want a tiny bit of ice cream because I am full.
informalI just want a very small amount of ice cream since I have eaten enough.
Microscopes are necessary to see tiny organisms in the water.
academicSpecial tools are needed to view very small living things in the water.
We noticed a tiny increase in our monthly sales figures.
businessWe saw a very small growth in the amount of products we sold this month.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
a tiny bit
a very small amount
tiny tot
a very small child or toddler
tiny drop
a very small liquid unit
Often Confused With
Tiny is much more extreme than small; if something is small, it might still be visible, but if it is tiny, it is remarkably little.
Thin refers to the width or thickness of an object, while tiny refers to its overall size.
Usage Notes
Use 'tiny' when you want to emphasize that something is surprisingly small. It is more descriptive and expressive than using 'small' or 'little'.
Common Mistakes
Learners often try to say 'more tiny' or 'most tiny'. Because it is a short adjective, you should use 'tinier' and 'tiniest'.
Memory Tip
Think of a 'tin' can that is so small it can only hold one single pea.
Word Origin
Originates from the Middle English word 'tyne', which meant very small or little.
Grammar Patterns
Quick Quiz
The insect was so ___ that I could barely see it on the leaf.
Correct!
The correct answer is: tiny
Related Grammar Rules
Related Phrases
Related Vocabulary
More Descriptions words
miniature
A1A very small copy or model of something that is usually much larger. It can also refer to a very small painting, especially a portrait.
tall
A1Describing something or someone that has a greater than average height. It is typically used for living things like people and trees, or narrow objects like buildings and towers.
low
A1Not high or tall in height, often positioned close to the ground or a base level. It can also describe a small amount of something, a quiet sound, or a sad mood.
wide
A1Describes something that has a large distance from one side to the other. It is used to talk about the breadth of physical objects like roads, doors, or rivers.
thick
A1Describes something that has a large distance between its two opposite sides or surfaces. It can also describe liquids that are dense and do not flow easily, or things that grow closely together like hair or forest trees.
thin
A1Describes something that has a small distance between its two opposite sides or surfaces. It can also describe a person or animal that has very little body fat.
deep
A1As a noun, 'the deep' refers to the ocean or a very large and deep body of water. It is also used to describe the most intense or central part of a period of time, such as the middle of the night or winter.
perfect
A1In grammar, the perfect refers to a verb form that shows an action is completed or finished. It is also used in the phrase 'practice makes perfect' to describe a state of having no mistakes.
terrible
A1Used to describe something that is very bad, of poor quality, or causes great unhappiness. It is a strong way to say that you dislike something or that a situation is very unpleasant.
awful
A1Something that is very bad, unpleasant, or of low quality. It is commonly used to describe negative experiences, feelings, or conditions.
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