What does "insignificant" mean?

1. (unimportant) too small or unimportant to be worth noticing. 2. (meaningless) having no meaning or purpose. 3. (an unimportant person) a person who has no power or importance.

How do you use "insignificant"?

Often used to describe amounts, differences, or changes.

insignificant

adj. · n.

US //ˌɪnsɪɡˈnjɪfɪkənt// UK //ˌɪnsɪɡnˈɪfɪkənt// in·signif·i·cant

1 unimportant (adj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

too small or unimportant to be worth noticing.

lacking importance, consequence, or value; having no noticeable effect on a situation.

Example

The difference in price was so insignificant that I didn't mind paying more.

Example

While the individual errors seemed insignificant, their cumulative effect over the fiscal year resulted in a substantial budgetary shortfall.

Usage

Often used to describe amounts, differences, or changes.
2 meaningless (adj.)
C1 Advanced Formal

having no meaning or purpose.

devoid of meaning or symbolic importance; not signifying anything specific.

Example

To an outsider, these ancient symbols might look like insignificant marks on the wall.

Example

The witness provided a series of insignificant details that failed to clarify the timeline of the incident.
- meaningless
- empty
- meaningful

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3 an unimportant person (n.)
C2 Proficiency Literary Formal

a person who has no power or importance.

a person or thing of no importance or influence.

Example

He felt like a mere insignificant in the busy crowd of the city.

Example

The protagonist began the novel as a social insignificant, ignored by the aristocracy until a sudden inheritance changed his fortunes.
- nobody
- nonentity
- celebrity
- authority

Origin

From in- (“not”) + significant.