Reading Theme:
Insignificant: Definition, Usage & Examples (3 meaning)
Meaning 1：not important (insignificant)
insignificant
/ˌɪnsɪɡˈnɪfɪkənt/
adj.
Not important or noteworthy; not worthy of attention.
not important
➕
/nɒt ɪmˈpɔːtnt/
adj.
Describes something that lacks importance, relevance, or consequence; it is trivial and not worthy of serious consideration or attention.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'insignificans' ('in-' meaning 'not' + 'significans' meaning 'meaningful').
💡 Mnemonic
Think: IN (not) + SIGNIFICANT (important) = NOT IMPORTANT.
📖 Example
Compared to finding a cure for the disease, my missing pen is an insignificant problem.
Compared to finding a cure for the disease, my missing pen is an unimportant problem.
🔗 Collocations
insignificant detail – a small, unimportant piece of information
statistically insignificant – a result likely due to chance, not a meaningful difference
seem insignificant – to appear unimportant
🔄 Synonyms
trivial (adj.) – Of little value or importance; commonplace.
negligible (adj.) – So small or unimportant as to be not worth considering.
minor (adj.) – Lesser in importance, seriousness, or size.
🚫 Antonyms
significant (adj.) – Sufficiently great or important to be worthy of attention.
crucial (adj.) – Of decisive importance; vital.
momentous (adj.) – Of great importance or significance.
🌱 Derivatives
insignificance (n.) – The quality or state of being insignificant.
insignificantly (adv.) – In an insignificant manner; to a very small degree.
📖 Cultural Story
Originating in the 17th century from the Latin 'insignificans'. It's frequently used in statistics and science to describe data differences so small they can be safely ignored.
Meaning 2：extremely small (insignificant)
insignificant
/ˌɪnsɪɡˈnɪfɪkənt/
adj.
Extremely small in amount, size, or degree; barely noticeable.
extremely small
➕
/ɪkˈstriːmli smɔːl/
adj.
Refers to a quantity, size, or degree that is so tiny it is almost non-existent or barely detectable.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
The amount of rainfall this month was insignificant, barely enough to settle the dust in the garden.
The amount of rainfall this month was extremely small, barely enough to settle the dust in the garden.
🔗 Collocations
insignificant amount – a very small quantity
insignificant change – a change so minor it has no real effect
insignificant role – a very minor or negligible part
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
substantial (adj.) – Of considerable importance, size, or worth.
considerable (adj.) – Large in size, amount, or extent.
significant (adj.) – Notably large or considerable.
🌱 Derivatives
insignificance (n.) – The quality or state of being insignificant.
insignificantly (adv.) – In an insignificant manner; to a very small degree.
Meaning 3：having little power (insignificant)
insignificant
/ˌɪnsɪɡˈnɪfɪkənt/
adj.
Having very little power, influence, or effect; not strong enough to make a difference.
having little power
➕
/ˈhævɪŋ ˈlɪtl ˈpaʊə(r)/
adj.
Characterizes something as possessing very minimal influence, strength, or ability to produce an effect; too weak to be consequential.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
The old phone's signal was so insignificant that it couldn't make a call from inside the concrete building.
The old phone's signal was so weak that it couldn't make a call from inside the concrete building.
🔗 Collocations
insignificant impact – having little to no effect or influence
insignificant force – a very weak physical or metaphorical power
politically insignificant – having little or no political power or influence
🔄 Synonyms
ineffective (adj.) – Not producing any or the desired effect.
powerless (adj.) – Without ability, influence, or power.
feeble (adj.) – Lacking physical strength, especially as a result of age or illness; weak.
🚫 Antonyms
powerful (adj.) – Having great power or strength.
influential (adj.) – Having great influence on someone or something.
effective (adj.) – Successful in producing a desired or intended result.
🌱 Derivatives
insignificance (n.) – The quality or state of being insignificant.
insignificantly (adv.) – In an insignificant manner; to a very small degree.
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