What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
youngest
Example
He is the youngest member of the team. [youngest: superlative adjective]
Example
She is the youngest of three siblings. [youngest: noun]
Example
The intern is the youngest employee in the company. [youngest: adjective]
littlest
Example
The littlest puppy in the litter was the runt. [littlest: superlative adjective]
Example
She's the littlest one in the family, but she's also the feistiest. [littlest: adjective]
Example
The littlest detail can make all the difference in a project. [littlest: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Youngest is more common than littlest in everyday language, especially when referring to age. Littlest is less common and tends to be used in more specific contexts, such as describing size or importance.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between youngest and littlest?
Both youngest and littlest are relatively informal words that can be used in casual conversation or writing. However, youngest may be slightly more formal due to its wider usage and versatility.
