Standard Lemma guide

small-scale

adj · 5 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

adj

Meaning 1

Concerning a lower order of magnitude rather than a higher one.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • small-scale aspects of fluid dynamics

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: microlevel, micro

Antonyms: large-scale, macrolevel, macro

2

adj

Meaning 2

Having a modest scope or extent.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • small-scale business operations

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: large-scale

3

adj

Meaning 3

Drawn or constructed at a small size (at low scale), without much detail.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • a small-scale inset orienting the viewer, implying "you are here"

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: large-scale

4

adjective satellite

Meaning 4

created or drawn on a small scale

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • small-scale maps
  • a small-scale model

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

adjective satellite

Meaning 5

limited in size or scope

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • a small business
  • a newspaper with a modest circulation
  • small-scale plans
  • a pocket-size country

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: minor, modest, small, pocket-size, pocket-sized

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From small + scale.

Across languages

Translations

21 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Bulgarian: дребен (dreben) — having a modest scope or extent
  • Chinese Mandarin: 小型 (xiǎoxíng) — having a modest scope or extent
  • Dutch: kleinschalig — having a modest scope or extent
  • Finnish: pienimuotoinen — having a modest scope or extent
  • Finnish: vaatimaton — having a modest scope or extent
  • French: à petite échelle — having a modest scope or extent
  • Galician: a pequena escala — having a modest scope or extent
  • German: kleinangelegt — having a modest scope or extent
  • German: klein angelegt — having a modest scope or extent
  • Japanese: 小規模の (shōkibo no) — having a modest scope or extent
  • Japanese: 小型の (kogata no) — having a modest scope or extent
  • Polish: na małą skalę — having a modest scope or extent
  • Russian: мелкомасшта́бный (melkomasštábnyj) — having a modest scope or extent
  • Russian: маломасшта́бный (malomasštábnyj) — having a modest scope or extent
  • Scottish Gaelic: beag-sgèile — having a modest scope or extent
  • Swedish: småskalig — having a modest scope or extent
  • Bulgarian: в малък мащаб (v malǎk maštab) — too small for much detail
  • Finnish: pienimuotoinen — too small for much detail
  • Polish: mały — too small for much detail
  • Polish: drobny — too small for much detail
  • Scottish Gaelic: beag-sgèile — too small for much detail