Infinitesimal

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˌɪnfɪnɪˈtÉ›sɪmÉ™l/

Full definition of infinitesimal

Adjective

1. Incalculably, exceedingly, or immeasurably minute; vanishingly small.Do you ever get the feeling that you are but an infinitesimal speck, swallowed by the vastness of the universe and beyond?
2. (mathematics) Of or pertaining to values that approach zero as a limit.
3. (informal) Very small.

Usage notes

Strictly, this adjective, like infinite, is incomparable, so more infinitesimal and most infinitesimal are proscribed, especially in the mathematical sense. However, these forms do occur in informal usage, where the very small (but measurable) sense is most common.

Synonyms

Antonyms

• infinite
• enormous

Noun

1. (mathematics) A non-zero quantity whose magnitude is smaller than any positive number (by definition it is not a real number).

Antonyms

• infinity

Derived terms

• infinitesimal calculus
• infinitesimally