Young vs. Small: Difference and Comparison
Edited by Muazma Batool — By Muneeza Rehman — Updated on September 26, 2023
"Young" describes an early stage in life or existence, while "small" pertains to limited size or quantity.
Difference Between Young and Small
"Young" is a term that relates to age or the early stages of existence. Whether it's a young child, a young tree, or a young nation, the word emphasizes a state that hasn't been around for a long time. In contrast, "small" doesn't hint at any timeframe; instead, it solely denotes a limited size or magnitude, such as a small box, a small amount, or a small distance.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
In many contexts, the term "young" implies growth or potential for change. A young seedling will grow into a mature plant over time. This isn't the case with "small," which simply communicates dimensions or scope. A small rock remains a small rock unless acted upon by external forces.
Muazma Batool
Sep 26, 2023
It's important to note that "young" is relative to the lifespan or duration of the entity being described. A young child might be five years old, whereas a young universe might be billions of years old. "Small," on the other hand, is often more objective, grounded in specific measurements like inches, feet, or other units.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
Interestingly, while "young" and "small" can sometimes be used interchangeably, they often aren't direct substitutes. For instance, one might say "a young kitten" to emphasize its age, or "a small kitten" to highlight its size. Both descriptors provide different information about the kitten.
Kaitlyn
Sep 26, 2023
Lastly, "young" can sometimes hint at naivety or inexperience. A young artist might not have honed their skills yet. "Small" doesn't carry such connotations, focusing solely on the concept of reduced size or quantity.
Kaitlyn
Sep 26, 2023
Young vs. Small Comparison Chart
Relativity
Relative to lifespan or duration
More objective, based on measurements
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
Interchangeability
Can sometimes be used interchangeably
Often distinct from "young"
William
Sep 26, 2023
Young vs. Small Definitions
◉Young
Having lived for only a short duration.
The young girl was eager to explore the world.
Jonathan
Sep 26, 2023
◉Young
Relating to, typical of, or suggestive of youth or early life
He is young for his age.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Small
Being below average in quantity or extent
a small donation.
a small project.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Small
Having limited position, influence, or status; minor
"A crowd of small writers had vainly attempted to rival Addison" (Thomas Macaulay).
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Young
(Geology) Being of an early stage in a geologic cycle. Used of bodies of water and land formations.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Small
Unpretentious; modest
made a small living.
helped the cause in my own small way.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Young
Young persons considered as a group; youth
entertainment for the young.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Young
In the early part of growth or life; born not long ago.
a lamb is a young sheep;
these picture books are for young readers
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Young
At an early stage of existence or development; having recently come into existence.
the age of space travel is still young;
a young business
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Young
(Not) advanced in age; (far towards or) at a specified stage of existence or age.
How young is your dog?
Her grandmother turned 70 years young last month.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Young
Youthful; having the look or qualities of a young person.
My grandmother is a very active woman and is quite young for her age.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Young
Of or belonging to the early part of life.
The cynical world soon shattered my young dreams.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Young
(obsolete) Having little experience; inexperienced; unpracticed; ignorant; weak.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Small
A part that is smaller or narrower than the rest
the small of the back.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Young
(often as if a plural noun) Offspring, especially the immature offspring of animals.
The lion caught a gnu to feed its young.
The lion's young are curious about the world around them.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Small
Not large or big; insignificant; few in number.
A small serving of ice cream.
A small group.
He made us all feel small.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Small
(figuratively) Young, as a child.
Remember when the children were small?
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Young
Not long born; still in the first part of life; not yet arrived at adolescence, maturity, or age; not old; juvenile; - said of animals; as, a young child; a young man; a young fawn.
For he so young and tender was of age.
"Whom the gods love, die young," has been too long carelessly said; . . . whom the gods love, live young forever.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Young
Being in the first part, pr period, of growth; as, a young plant; a young tree.
While the fears of the people were young.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Small
Humiliated or insignificant.
The bullies had succeeded in making him feel small.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Young
Having little experience; inexperienced; unpracticed; ignorant; weak.
Come, come, elder brother, you are too young in this.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Young
The offspring of animals, either a single animal or offspring collectively.
[The egg] bursting with kindly rupture, forth disclosedTheir callow young.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Small
Not prolonged in duration; not extended in time; short.
a small space of time
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Small
That is small the manufactured size.
I'll have a small coffee, thanks.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Young
British physicist and Egyptologist; he revived the wave theory of light and proposed a three-component theory of color vision; he also played an important role in deciphering the hieroglyphics on the Rosetta Stone (1773-1829)
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Young
United States religious leader of the Mormon Church after the assassination of Joseph Smith; he led the Mormon exodus from Illinois to Salt Lake City, Utah (1801-1877)
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Small
An item labelled or denoted as being that size.
Two smalls and a large, please.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Young
young people collectively;
rock music appeals to the young
youth everywhere rises in revolt
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Young
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth;
young people
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Small
Any part of something that is smaller or slimmer than the rest, now usually with anatomical reference to the back.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Young
(of crops) harvested at an early stage of development; before complete maturity;
new potatoes
young corn
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Young
Relating to an early stage in life or existence.
The young sapling thrived in the sunlight.
Elijah
Sep 26, 2023
◉Small
Having little size, compared with other things of the same kind; little in quantity or degree; diminutive; not large or extended in dimension; not great; not much; inconsiderable; as, a small man; a small river.
To compareGreat things with small.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Young
Lacking experience or seasoned judgment.
The young entrepreneur made rookie mistakes.
Olivia
Sep 26, 2023
◉Small
Being of slight consequence; feeble in influence or importance; unimportant; trivial; insignificant; as, a small fault; a small business.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Young
Representing a new or fresh generation.
The young artists brought innovative ideas to the table.
Muazma Batool
Sep 26, 2023
◉Small
Envincing little worth or ability; not large-minded; - sometimes, in reproach, paltry; mean.
A true delineation of the smallest man is capable of interesting the greatest man.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Small
Not prolonged in duration; not extended in time; short; as, after a small space.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Small
The small or slender part of a thing; as, the small of the leg or of the back.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Small
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent;
a little dining room
a little house
a small car
a little (or small) group
a small voice
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Small
limited in size or scope;
a small business
a newspaper with a modest circulation
small-scale plans
a pocket-size country
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Small
low or inferior in station or quality;
a humble cottage
a lowly parish priest
a modest man of the people
small beginnings
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Small
not large but sufficient in size or amount;
a modest salary
modest inflation
helped in my own small way
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Small
slight or limited; especially in degree or intensity or scope;
a series of death struggles with small time in between
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Small
made to seem smaller or less (especially in worth);
her comments made me feel small
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Small
lowercase;
little a
small a
e.e.cummings's poetry is written all in minuscule letters
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Small
Few in number or minimal in amount.
The village had a small population.
Muazma Batool
Sep 26, 2023
◉Small
Humble in rank or status.
He came from a small background but achieved great things.
Lucas
Sep 26, 2023
Young vs. Small Frequently Asked Questions
Does young always relate to age?
Young primarily pertains to age or the early stages of existence.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
What might a young tree imply about the tree?
A young tree implies it's in its early stages of growth or hasn't been around for long.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
Would a small tree always be young?
Not necessarily; a small tree might be stunted in growth or be a species that remains small even when mature.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
Is young relative or fixed in its meaning?
Young is relative, depending on the lifespan or duration of the entity in question.
Elijah
Sep 26, 2023
Can small refer to quantity as well as size?
Yes, small can refer to both limited size and limited quantity.
Muazma Batool
Sep 26, 2023
Would a young company always be a small company?
Not necessarily; a young company might grow rapidly and become large in a short span of time.
Olivia
Sep 26, 2023
Can both words sometimes be used interchangeably?
Yes, in some contexts, but they often convey different nuances.
Leo
Sep 26, 2023
Can small be used in both physical and abstract contexts?
Yes, small can refer to physical dimensions, like size, as well as abstract notions, like significance or amount.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
How does young differ from youthful?
While both refer to an early stage in life, young directly pertains to age, whereas youthful often hints at qualities or appearances typical of the young.
Leo
Sep 26, 2023
Does small have any implications about age?
No, small purely denotes size or quantity, not age.
William
Sep 26, 2023
Content Creators
Written by
Muneeza RehmanAt Comparisons.wiki, Muneeza skillfully navigates the vast sea of information, ensuring clarity and accuracy as the lead content editor. With a keen eye for detail, she curates every comparison to enlighten and engage readers.
Edited by
Muazma BatoolAs a content editor, Muazma Batool is not just a grammar guru but a creative mastermind who breathes life into every word. With an eagle eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, she transforms bland text into engaging content that captivates audiences and drives results.
