negligible

/ˈneɡlɪdʒəbl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈneɡlɪdʒəbl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈne-gli-jə-bəl/ (ame, mw)

negligible — 形容詞

1. so small or slight that it does not make a real difference or need to be thought

1.形容詞B2
釋義

微不足道

極微小而不重要

so small or slight that it does not make a real difference or need to be thought about

例句

The cost of fixing the old lamp was negligible, so Chiara decided to repair it.

修理那盞舊燈的費用微不足道，所以 Chiara 決定把它修好。

collocation: negligible cost

Hugo checked the figures twice and found the error was negligible — less than one percent.

Hugo 把數字核對了兩次，發現誤差微乎其微——不到百分之一。

collocation: negligible error

同義詞
  • insignificant

    More general — can refer to unimportance in size, value, or meaning; 'insignificant' is broader than 'negligible'

  • trivial

    Carries a dismissive tone; suggests something is not worth serious attention, whereas 'negligible' is more neutral and objective

  • minor

    Less strong — a minor problem still has some importance; 'negligible' problems have virtually none

  • minute

    Focuses on extreme smallness in size or degree, especially in technical contexts; 'negligible' also suggests the smallness makes it irrelevant

反義詞

文法句型

negligible + noun

be + negligible

用法筆記

Used both before a noun (attributive: 'a negligible amount') and after a linking verb (predicative: 'the effect was negligible'). Most common in academic writing, technical reports, and formal discussions of risk, cost, or impact. In everyday conversation, speakers more often use 'tiny' or 'very small' instead.

常見錯誤

❌The difference was negligible small.
✅The difference was negligible.
💡'negligible' already means 'so small it can be ignored'; adding 'small' after it is redundant.
❌The accountant was negligible with the records.
✅The accountant was negligent with the records.
💡'negligible' means very small, not careless; the word for failing to take proper care is 'negligent.'