negligible

negligible — adjective

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

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

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

Example

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

collocation: negligible cost

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

collocation: negligible error

Common collocations
  • negligible effect
  • negligible impact
  • negligible amount
  • negligible difference
  • negligible cost
  • negligible risk
  • negligible damage
  • negligible error
Synonyms
  • 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

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

negligible + noun

be + negligible

Usage Note

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.

Common Mistakes

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.'

Word family

  • negligibly
    adverbB2
  • negligence
    nounB2
  • negligent
    adjectiveB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All five words describe things of little importance or size, but they differ in nuance. 'Insignificant' is the broadest — it can refer to unimportance in any context (a person, event, amount). 'Trivial' carries a dismissive or even annoyed tone; a trivial problem is one the speaker feels should not be taken seriously. 'Minor' is the weakest — a minor issue still matters somewhat and may need attention. 'Minute' (pronounced /maɪˈnjuːt/) focuses on extreme smallness, often in precise or technical measurements. 'Negligible' combines smallness with the idea that the thing can safely be ignored. For example, a minor error might be corrected; a negligible error need not be.

insignificanttrivial ↗minor ↗minute ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

  • nearly negligible
  • practically negligible
  • almost negligible

Phrases

  • close to negligible
  • far from negligible

Etymology

LatinEnglish

Formed in English in the early 1800s from Latin 'neglegere' (to neglect or disregard) plus the suffix '-ibilis' (able to be). Literally it means 'able to be neglected.' The Latin root also gave us 'neglect,' 'negligence,' and 'negligent,' though those words developed different meanings around carelessness rather than smallness.