Formal and Informal Expressions of little

In different contexts, you can replace 'little' with suitable alternatives. In a more formal setting, 'small, insufficient' is apt. In informal speech or writing, 'tiny, wee' is a commonplace synonym.

little: Explore its Definition & Usage

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

Synonyms for little

Antonyms for little

Idioms Using little

little white lie
a harmless or trivial lie, especially one told to avoid hurting someone's feelings
Example
He told a little white lie to his friend to avoid hurting her feelings.
little pitcher with big ears
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.
little people
people of small stature, or a term used to refer to ordinary or unimportant people
Example
The movie features a group of little people as the main characters.

Phrases with little

little black dress
a simple and elegant black dress that can be worn on various occasions
Example
She wore a little black dress to the party.
little by little
gradually or slowly over time
Example
She learned to speak French little by little.
a little bird told me
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' [ˈlɪtəl] 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.