What does slightish mean?
Slightish is an informal adjective meaning that something is somewhat slight. It occupies a useful middle ground between describing a feature as fully slight and saying that it is not slight at all. The word is commonly applied to differences, inclines, concerns, emphases, and other qualities that remain noticeable but are small or unimportant. Its ending makes its meaning clear: a slightish difference is a little slight, while a slightish incline rises gently rather than sharply. Although the word appears in both British and American English, it is more characteristic of casual speech than formal writing. In formal contexts, a precise alternative such as slight, marginal, modest, or slightly more specific may be preferable. Slightish is also useful when the distinction matters but does not justify an emphatic description.
adjectiveSomewhat slight; slightly small, weak, or unimportant.
- Somewhat slight; slightly small, weak, or unimportant.
"There was a slightish difference between the two versions, but it did not affect the result."
"The path takes a slightish turn before it reaches the summit."
"She felt a slightish hesitation before answering the question."
A useful middle-ground word when something is noticeable but barely so: a slightish difference, incline, or concern.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of slightish
Slightish combines the adjective slight with the suffix -ish, a productive ending used in English to indicate a degree or approximation. The suffix also forms numerous adjectives such as childish, reddish, and bluish. Slightish thus preserves the sense of slight while softening it to mean that the quality exists only to a limited degree.
How slightish is actually used
Informal and conversational rather than formal or technical. It is especially natural with qualities such as difference, incline, concern, and emphasis.
Easily confused with slightish
Slightly is the standard adverb meaning to a small degree, while slightish is an informal adjective describing something that is somewhat slight.