slightness
slightness — noun
1. the fact that something is only a small amount, or that a change or difference i
the fact that something is only a small amount, or that a change or difference is very minor.
The slightness of the price rise meant Élise barely noticed it on her grocery receipt.
the slightness of + noun for a minor amount
Shanti was relieved by the slightness of the damage after the storm passed.
Doctors were puzzled by the slightness of the fever, given how ill Mateo felt.
Because of the slightness of the delay, the train still reached London on time.
- smallness
plainer and more everyday; 'slightness' sounds more formal
- insignificance
stresses that the amount does not matter, not just that it is small
- magnitude
the large size or importance of something
文法句型
the slightness of [something]
用法筆記
Almost always followed by 'of' plus the thing being measured (the slightness of the change, the slightness of the risk). Distinguish from sense 3, which is about lack of seriousness rather than small size.
常見錯誤
2. the quality of having a thin, delicate body that looks small and easily harmed.
the quality of having a thin, delicate body that looks small and easily harmed.
The dancer's slightness made her leaps across the stage look almost weightless.
the slightness of a person's build
Despite his slightness, Reuben lifted the heavy crate without any help.
contrast between thin build and strength
Lien pinned the coat at the back so the slightness of her shoulders wouldn't show.
Nurses worried about the slightness of the newborn and kept her in a warm cot.
- slenderness
more positive, suggesting graceful thinness
- frailty
stresses weakness and being easily hurt, not just thinness
- sturdiness
being strong and solidly built
文法句型
the slightness of [someone's] [body part / frame]
用法筆記
Subject is a person or their frame, not an object. Often paired with words about fragility or grace; contrast with sense 1, where the subject is an amount or measurement.
3. the quality of dealing with topics that are not serious or important, so that so
the quality of dealing with topics that are not serious or important, so that something seems to lack depth.
Élise praised the play's jokes but complained about the slightness of its two-scene plot.
the slightness of a creative work
Hiro raced through the thin novel, yet its slightness left him wanting a deeper story.
The slightness of Reuben's three-page report annoyed the committee, who wanted hard evidence.
Listeners hummed the catchy tune, but its slightness meant nobody remembered it a week later.
- triviality
stronger; suggests the topic is almost worthless
- superficiality
stresses staying on the surface rather than going deep
文法句型
the slightness of [a work / argument]
用法筆記
Typically applied to books, films, plays, or arguments to say they are pleasant but lack weight. Distinguish from sense 1: here the issue is depth of content, not physical or numerical size.