small-minded
UK[ˌsmɔːl ˈmaɪndɪd]US[ˌsmɔːl ˈmaɪndɪd]
adj
Having a narrow perspective and being unwilling to consider new or different ideas; petty and intolerant.
Morpheme Breakdown
small
minded
small
little
minded
having a mind of a specified kind
Etymology
The compound "small-minded" is a relatively modern English formation, emerging in the 17th century. It follows a productive pattern where an adjective is combined with "-minded" to describe a person's mental character or disposition. The logic is transparently metaphorical: a "small" mind is one of limited capacity, scope, or generosity, just as a small container holds less. This contrasts with terms like "broad-minded." The word "small" itself has Germanic roots, traceable to Proto-Germanic smalaz, while "mind" derives from the Proto-Germanic ga-mundiz, related to memory and thought. The compound effectively captures the concept of intellectual or moral pettiness through a simple spatial metaphor.
Analysis
Structure: small (little) + minded (having a mind of a specified kind)
- small: From Old English smæl (narrow, slender, thin). In this compound, it functions as an adjective meaning "of limited size or scope."
- minded: From Old English gemynd (memory, thought) + the suffix -ed (having, provided with). In this compound, it functions as an adjective-forming element meaning "having a (specified kind of) mind."
Examples
His small-minded attitude prevented him from appreciating the cultural diversity of the city.
The debate was derailed by small-minded personal attacks rather than substantive arguments.
She refused to be held back by the small-minded prejudices of her hometown.