What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
small
Example
The small dog barked at the mailman. [small: adjective]
Example
She only had a small amount of money left. [small: noun]
miniature
Example
He collected miniature cars and displayed them on his shelf. [miniature: adjective]
Example
The artist created a miniature version of the Eiffel Tower. [miniature: noun]
Example
The toy car was a miniature replica of a real car. [miniature: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Small is a more commonly used word than miniature in everyday language. Small is versatile and can be used in a wide range of contexts, while miniature is more specific and often used in the context of replicas or models.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between small and miniature?
Both small and miniature are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.