First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1little
adjective lit·tle \ˈli-təl\
: small in size
: not tall
: small in amount
lit·tler \ˈli-təl-ər, ˈlit-lər\ or less \ˈles\ or less·er \ˈle-sər\ lit·tlest \ˈli-təl-əst, ˈlit-ləst\ or least \ˈlēst\
Full Definition of LITTLE
1
: not big: as a : small in size or extent : tiny <has little feet> b : young <was too little to remember> c of a plant or animal : small in comparison with related forms —used in vernacular names d : having few members or inhabitants <a little group> <little towns> e : small in condition, distinction, or scope <big business trampling on the little fellow> f : narrow, mean <the pettiness of little minds> g : pleasingly small <a cute little thing> h —used as an intensive <why, you little devil!>
2
: not much: as a : existing only in a small amount or to a slight degree <has little money> b : short in duration : brief c : existing to an appreciable though not extensive degree or amount —used with a <had a little money in the bank>
See little defined for English-language learners
See little defined for kids
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Origin of LITTLE
Middle English littel, from Old English lȳtel; akin to Old High German luzzil little
Related to LITTLE
Synonym Discussion of LITTLE
small, little, diminutive, minute, tiny, miniature mean noticeably below average in size. small and little are often interchangeable, but small applies more to relative size determined by capacity, value, number <a relatively small backyard>. little is more absolute in implication often carrying the idea of petiteness, pettiness, insignificance, or immaturity <your pathetic little smile>. diminutive implies abnormal smallness <diminutive bonsai plants>. minute implies extreme smallness <a minute amount of caffeine in the soda>. tiny is an informal equivalent to minute <tiny cracks formed in the painting>. miniature applies to an exactly proportioned reproduction on a very small scale <a dollhouse with miniature furnishings>.
2little
adverb
: in a very small amount or degree
: hardly at all : not very much
: not very often
less \ˈles\ least \ˈlēst\
Full Definition of LITTLE
1
a : in only a small quantity or degree : slightly <facts that were little known at the time> b : not at all <cared little for their neighbors>
2
See little defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of LITTLE
before 12th century
Related to LITTLE
- Synonyms
- negligibly, nominally, slightly, a bit, a trifle
- Antonyms
- awful, awfully, beastly, considerably, deadly, especially, exceedingly (also exceeding), extensively, extra, extremely, far, frightfully, full, greatly, heavily, highly, jolly, mightily, mighty, mortally, most, much, particularly, rattling, real, right, significantly, so, something, substantially, super, terribly, too, very, whacking
3little
noun
Definition of LITTLE
1
: a small amount, quantity, or degree; also : practically nothing <little has changed>
2
a : a short time b : a short distance
— in little
: on a small scale; especially : in miniature
First Known Use of LITTLE
before 12th century
Related to LITTLE
- Synonyms
- ace, bit, crumb, dab, dram, driblet, glimmer, hint, lick, particle, mite, nip, ounce, peanuts, ray, scintilla, scruple, shade, shadow, shred, skosh, smack, smell, smidgen (also smidgeon or smidgin or smidge), snap, soupçon, spark, spatter, speck, splash, spot, sprinkling, strain, streak, suspicion, tad, touch, trace
LITTLENESS Defined for Kids
1little
adjective lit·tle \ˈli-təl\
lit·tler \ˈlit-lər\ or less \ˈləs\lit·tlest \ˈlit-ləst\ or least \ˈlēst\
Definition of LITTLE for Kids
1
: small in size <a little house>
2
: small in quantity <They had little food to eat.>
3
: 1young 1 <little children>
4
: short in duration or extent <We had a little chat.>
5
: small in importance <It's a little problem.>
6
: 1narrow 3
2little
adverb
less \ˈles\least \ˈlēst\
Definition of LITTLE for Kids
: in a very small quantity or degree <The history is little known.>
— little by little
: by small steps or amounts : gradually
3little
noun
Definition of LITTLE for Kids
: a small amount or quantity <She knows very little.>
Medical Dictionary
little
adjective lit·tle \ˈlit-əl\
lit·tler \ˈlit-əl-ər, ˈlit-lər\ or less \ˈles\ or les·ser \ˈles-ər\ lit·tlest \ˈlit-əl-əst, ˈlit-ləst\ or least \ˈlēst\
Medical Definition of LITTLE
: not big: as a : small in size or extent <has little feet> b of a plant or animal : small in comparison with related forms—used in vernacular names
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