little Definition
- 1small in size, amount, or degree
- 2young or younger
- 3not much or not enough
Using little: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "little" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
She has a little dog that follows her everywhere.
Example
He was a little boy when he first learned to ride a bike.
Example
I have little time to spare for hobbies.
Example
The restaurant serves little food for the price.
little Synonyms and Antonyms
Idioms Using little
Example
He told a little white lie to his friend to avoid hurting her feelings.
a child who is present during adult conversations and may overhear things they are not meant to hear
Example
Be careful what you say, there's a little pitcher with big ears in the room.
Example
The movie features a group of little people as the main characters.
Phrases with little
Example
She wore a little black dress to the party.
Example
She learned to speak French little by little.
used to indicate that the speaker knows something but will not reveal the source of the information
Example
A little bird told me that you got a promotion.
Origins of little
from Old English 'lytel'
Summary: little in Brief
The word 'little' [ËlÉĒtÉl] describes something that is small in size, amount, or degree. It can also refer to youthfulness, as in 'He was a little boy when he first learned to ride a bike.' The phrase 'little by little' denotes gradual progress, while 'a little bird told me' implies that the speaker knows something but won't reveal the source. Idioms like 'little white lie' and 'little people' add nuance to the term.