small change

noun

Synonyms of small changenext
1
: coins of low denomination
2

Examples of small change in a Sentence

a pocket full of small change The fine is a lot of money to some people, but to him it's small change. My problems are small change compared to yours. He wasn't a major criminal. He was strictly small change.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
And another small change may also have benefited him, both mentally and timing-wise. Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 The mechanic is a small change, but one that adds an element of gameplay strategy. Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 26 Aug. 2026 Even small changes in raw materials or processing conditions can affect battery performance. Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 21 Aug. 2026 An Imperial College London study in 2020 found that small changes to flight paths could reduce the climate impact of contrails. ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for small change

Word History

First Known Use

1679, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of small change was in 1679

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Cite this Entry

“Small change.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/small%20change. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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