Words / C1

NEGL-ij-uh-bl/ˈneɡlɪdʒəbl/

Negligible means so small you can ignore it: a negligible risk, negligible cost. Tiny and slight are everyday; insignificant is a close cousin. Neglect (already in the dictionary) is fail to care — related look. Negligent is careless in a blameworthy way. Do not call a missing n negligible.

Meaning

So small or unimportant that it can be ignored.

Examples

• “The extra postage was negligible once travel sat in the grant.”
• “Postage was negligible; the unpaid night marking was not.”
• “Insignificant can be about importance; negligible is about size. Negligent staff are at fault; a negligible fee is just small.”

Good to know

Too small to matter. Everyday: tiny. Close: insignificant. Mix-ups: neglect (not care); negligent (careless). A missing count is not negligible.

Near in meaning

tiny

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