small-time

small-time — adjective

1. used to describe a person, business, or activity that operates at a limited scal

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

used to describe a person, business, or activity that operates at a limited scale and has little importance or success — often implying they are not part of the major or well-known circles in their field.

Example

Bao started as a small-time singer before landing a record deal with a major label.

contrast: small-time → major label shows scale difference

The police arrested a small-time thief who had stolen wallets from a market.

small-time + [criminal noun]

Common collocations
  • small-time criminal
  • small-time thief
  • small-time dealer
  • small-time operator
  • small-time actor
  • small-time singer
  • small-time business
  • small-time operation
Synonyms
  • minor

    broader in meaning; can describe any matter of little consequence, not limited to scale of operations

  • insignificant

    more formal; emphasizes lack of worth or impact beyond scale

  • petty

    often implies narrow-mindedness or trivial concerns; common in legal contexts (petty crime)

Antonyms
  • big-time

    direct opposite; same register and attributive-only usage

  • major

    general opposite; describes something large, important, or influential

Grammar Patterns

small-time + [noun]

Usage Note

Used only before a noun (attributive position). Cannot appear after a linking verb: ❌ 'His business is small-time.' ✅ 'He runs a small-time business.' Often carries a dismissive or mildly critical tone, especially when comparing someone to larger, more successful competitors.

Common Mistakes

He is a small businessman' (to mean unimportant).
He is a small-time businessman.
'small businessman' describes the size of the business; 'small-time' describes the low level of success or importance.
Their operation is small-time' (after a verb).
It is a small-time operation.
'small-time' is attributive only and must come before the noun.

Word family

  • small-timer
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All four words describe something of limited importance, but they differ in register and connotation. 'Small-time' is informal and specifically suggests limited success or reach in a profession — a small-time criminal operates at a low level compared to organized crime. 'Minor' is neutral and broad: a minor problem is simply not serious. 'Insignificant' is more formal and often implies something is not worth attention at all. 'Petty' carries a dismissive tone and is common in legal contexts (petty theft) but also describes small-minded behavior. A small-time actor may still be working hard; a petty criminal is likely focused on trivial offenses. Use 'small-time' when the focus is on scale and lack of major success; use 'petty' when the focus is on trivial or mean-spirited actions.

minor ↗insignificantpetty ↗small-time ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

A compound of 'small' (Old English smæl, meaning slender or little) and 'time' (Old English tīma, meaning a period). The term first appeared in late-19th-century American theatre slang, where 'small time' referred to less prestigious vaudeville circuits, as opposed to the 'big time' — the major, high-paying venues. By the early 1900s, the expression had spread beyond entertainment to describe any person or operation operating at a limited, unimportant level.