Vocabulary Basics for Business [Electronic resources] نسخه متنی

In Order of Size

How big is big? How small is tiny? Some words about size can be put in order, from small to large or the reverse. Look at the following word groups. Number the words in each group from 1 to 3, with 3 being the word that indicates the largest size.

For most people, the meanings of the words in the two lists probably grow in size as they proceed from top to bottom.

Other size words are more difficult to put in order. How would you order the following? Do your classmates agree?

The words in these two groups do not clearly differ by degree. There is no absolute order.

Now consider these words related to small. Number the words in each group from 1 to 3, with 3 being the word that indicates the largest size.

Again, the words probably increase in size from top to bottom. But what about the following words?

While many people would agree that tiny is probably the largest of these three words, teeny and wee are difficult to put in order of size. Some of our size words differ from one another in usage or context; that is, they vary in meaning rather than degree or order. While the differences may not seem significant, they are important for accurate, precise communicating. Short, long, and tall, for example, refer to height or length, not weight, volume, or area. We say "tall building" but not "tall farm"; we say "short person" but not "short price." Thin and fat often refer to girth (how big around), but thin also refers to thickness. A few more examples are presented in the following sections. Can you think of others?

Large

Ample has fairly broad applications, referring to extent, amount, or size. Ample can mean plentiful or sufficient. We say "ample size" (an elephant), "ample financial reserves" (a healthy bank account), or "ample food" (plenty to eat). We do not use it to refer to height or length. (An ample person is large but not necessarily tall; a snake is not usually ample, though it may be very long.)

Massive denotes something that is large and heavy, whereas huge denotes something that is large in bulk but may or may not be heavy. A mountain boulder may be both huge and massive; a giant kite may be huge, but it is not usually considered to be massive.

Spacious means "big and roomy" and refers to large spaces such as rooms, buildings, and outdoor areas: spacious office, spacious hotel, spacious ranch.

Small

Diminutive frequently refers to people (and sometimes animals), indicating relatively small physical size or a slight build. It indicates someone who is small and thin but within normal range. Puny also refers to people and animals, and sometimes plants, but indicates something or someone small and feeble or underdeveloped. A diminutive child is small but not necessarily unhealthy; a puny child may be underfed and weak as well as small.

Minute (pronounced "my-NOOT") looks very much like miniature. Minute is used to indicate something very fine or small, as in "minute particles of dust." Miniature, on the other hand, indicates a small version of something that is ordinarily larger. Miniature furniture is used in dollhouses; model airplanes are miniature versions of the real vehicles.

Trivial and petty mean "insignificant." Trivial can imply commonplace, and often refers to issues, questions, or matters: The committee ignored the trivial matter. Petty commonly indicates lack of importance: "Petty cash" refers to a minor amount of money kept for small expenses; "petty larceny" refers to a theft of something considered less valuable than "grand larceny."