small print
Barely legible conditions
Small print is the text in contracts, agreements, and legal documents set in a smaller typeface than the main body—often containing important conditions, limitations, or exclusions that benefit the drafting party.
The phrase implies deliberate obscurity: Always read the small print before signing.
Figuratively, small print refers to hidden catches or overlooked details in any arrangement.
Also called fine print.
Conditions of an agreement
- conditionsPrevailing state of affairs
- clausesGrammatical or legal units
- provisionsStockpiled food and supplies
- disclaimersStatements denying responsibility
caveats · stipulations · obligations · liabilities · warranties · binding · legalese · boilerplate
Partly close eyes
- eyestrainOverworked vision discomfort
- magnifying glassHandheld lens for enlargement
- glassesCorrective eyewear or tumblers
- font sizeText dimension setting
tiny · legibility · typography · microprint · unreadable · microscopic · cramped · dense
Kept out of sight
- obscureUnknown to most
- buriedPlaced beneath earth
- concealedMade invisible deliberately
- misleadingCausing false beliefs
tricky · gotcha · sneaky · veiled · obfuscated · loophole · trap · catch
Increasing perceived size
- examinationMethodical assessment or review
- inspectionFormal assessment of condition
- reviewCritical written assessment
- analysisMethodical study of parts
reading · checking · vetting · due diligence · careful · thorough · parsing · deciphering
terms
Conditions of an agreement
- conditionsPrevailing state of affairs
- clausesGrammatical or legal units
- provisionsStockpiled food and supplies
disclaimers · caveats · stipulations · obligations · liabilities · warranties · binding · legalese · boilerplate · waivers
squint
Partly close eyes
- eyestrainOverworked vision discomfort
- magnifying glassHandheld lens for enlargement
- glassesCorrective eyewear or tumblers
font size · tiny · legibility · typography · microprint · unreadable · microscopic · cramped · dense · blurry
hidden
Kept out of sight
misleading · tricky · gotcha · sneaky · veiled · obfuscated · loophole · trap · catch · overlooked
magnifying
Increasing perceived size
- examinationMethodical assessment or review
- inspectionFormal assessment of condition
- reviewCritical written assessment
analysis · reading · checking · vetting · due diligence · careful · thorough · parsing · deciphering · interpretation
- marketing scamsfalse ads, fake reviews, fake testimonials, fake endorsements, false promises
- fine pointsnuance, subtlety, detail, minutiae, minutia
- disclaimerswarning, notice, terms of use, waiver, liability waiver
- fine printdisclaimer, disclaimers, terms, conditions, warranty
- detailsdetail, particular, specific, fact, point
- printingprinting press, letterpress, printing, lithographers, offset printing
small printlarge print
Enlarged text format
headline · banner headline · bold type · header · title
small printplain language
Easily understood communication
full disclosure · plain English · layman's terms · executive summary · clear communication
small, print, smaller, smallest, smallness, smallish, small-fry, small-town, smallpox