adj

slight

slahyt

adj

Small in degree or amount; minor.

"There was only a slight chance of rain that afternoon."

"She noticed a slight improvement in her scores."

Slender or delicate in build.

"He was a slight man, but surprisingly strong."

verb

To treat someone with disrespect or neglect, often by ignoring them.

"She felt slighted when she wasn't invited to the meeting."

noun

An act or remark that shows disrespect or disregard for someone.

"He took the joke as a slight against his work."

How to Use Slight

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSmall or minor (as an adjective), or an act of disrespect and the verb for committing one.

Common mistake

Don't confuse with "sleight," which relates to skillful trickery, not smallness.

Easily confused with

sleight →

Common pairings

slight chance slight increase feel slighted

slighter comparative, slighted past tense, slights plural, Slights plural, slights singular, slightest superlative

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Can you complete this real example?

There was only a _____ chance of rain that afternoon.

From Old English sliht, "smooth, level," related to "slick" — the sense shifted over time to mean "insignificant" and then "slender."

ight eight night right fight light might tight sight aught wight ought