Word
infinitesimal
Phoneticsin·fin·i·tes·i·mal, stress on the fourth syllable
US/ˌɪnfɪnɪˈtɛsɪməɫ/
UK/ˈɪnfɪnətˌɛsɪməl/
Definition
adj. extremely small — so small you can hardly see or measure it.
adj. extremely small in size or amount, approaching zero. Often emphasizes a difference too small to measure by ordinary means.
Examples
“The difference in weight feels infinitesimal to me.”
“The doctor says the risk from one scan is infinitesimal compared to the benefit of finding the problem early.”
“Even an infinitesimal error in the initial calculations widened over months, until the bridge design required a costly revision.”
Examples
simple
“The difference in weight feels infinitesimal to me.”
contextual
“The doctor says the risk from one scan is infinitesimal compared to the benefit of finding the problem early.”
complex
“Even an infinitesimal error in the initial calculations widened over months, until the bridge design required a costly revision.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “infinitesimal” in context.
Verb
01. appear infinitesimal
“The particles appear infinitesimal even under a standard microscope.”
verb + adj
02. dwindle to infinitesimal
“Support for the proposal dwindled to infinitesimal levels within weeks.”
verb + prep + adj
Adjective
03. practically infinitesimal
“The chance of error is practically infinitesimal with modern instruments.”
adv + adj
Noun
04. infinitesimal amount
“The recipe requires an infinitesimal amount of saffron for colour.”
adj + noun
05. infinitesimal detail
“The artist rendered every leaf in infinitesimal detail.”
adj + noun
06. infinitesimal difference
“There is only an infinitesimal difference between the two measurements.”
adj + noun
07. infinitesimal fraction
“Only an infinitesimal fraction of the data was corrupted.”
adj + noun
08. infinitesimal risk
“Vaccination carries an infinitesimal risk of serious side effects.”
adj + noun
09. an infinitesimal amount of dust
“The camera lens was covered in an infinitesimal amount of dust.”
10. in infinitesimal detail
“The historic map depicts the coastline in infinitesimal detail.”
11. infinitesimal chance of success
“Without funding, the startup had an infinitesimal chance of success.”
12. infinitesimal difference in scale
“There is an infinitesimal difference in scale between the two models.”
Usage
Typically placed before the noun it modifies; also used predicatively after linking verbs such as 'be' or 'seem'.
Real-World Examples
“Any effects from brushing, for most people, "will be infinitesimal" compared to chemical and heat treatments, say Evans.” “The chance that this was the result of one stray round is infinitesimal, and extremely unlikely that it was a result of an intended indirect fire strike.” “The infinitesimal lags that appear in the signals are used to calculate not only the distance between the microphones, but also the distance from each microphone to the walls and the sound source," added Mr Dokmanic.” Etymology
From New Latin īnfīnītēsimus + -al. Displaced earlier coordinate term fluxion.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related words
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/infinitesimal