A little Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

Home
/ Dictionary
/ A little

🌱

Add to dictionary

a little

[ˈlɪtəl ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

describing size

Small in size or amount; not big or great.

Synonyms

miniature, small, tiny.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
a little	Use to describe a small amount of something, often in relation to quantity or degree. Can I have a little bit of sugar in my tea? She needs a little more practice before the show.
small	A general term for describing something of limited size, capacity, or amount. She lives in a small apartment. There is a small chance of rain today.
tiny	Used to describe something extremely small, often to emphasize its diminutive size. The kitten has tiny paws. She found a tiny crack in the window.
miniature	Refers to something made in a very small size, often as a replica or model. He collects miniature cars. They built a miniature version of the castle.

Examples of usage

Can I have a little piece of cake?
She only took a little sugar in her tea.

^{Context #2 | Adverb}

to a small extent

To a small extent; slightly.

Synonyms

a bit, slightly, somewhat.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
a little	Use in casual or informal contexts when referring to a small amount or small degree of something. Suitable for both positive and negative situations. I'm a little tired. Can you give me a little help?
slightly	Used in more formal contexts to denote a small degree or amount. Often used in writing and formal speech. I'm slightly concerned about the situation. The temperature rose slightly.
somewhat	Appropriate for more formal contexts and suggests a moderate degree rather than a very small amount. Can be used to indicate partial agreement or to soften statements. I am somewhat satisfied with the results. His explanation was somewhat confusing.
a bit	Commonly used in British English and informal settings. It can refer to a small amount or degree, often in a non-serious or less formal manner. I'm feeling a bit hungry. Could you move a bit to the left?

Examples of usage

She was a little tired after the long journey.
Can you turn up the volume a little bit?

^{Context #3 | Noun}

a small amount

A small amount, quantity, or degree.

Synonyms

bit, dash, smidgen.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
a little	Used in general contexts to refer to a small amount of something, often in everyday conversation. Can I have a little more sugar in my tea? She felt a little tired after the long day.
bit	Typically describes a small part or quantity of something and is often used in informal contexts. Would you like a bit of cake? I just need a bit more time to finish.
smidgen	A very informal and playful way to refer to a tiny amount, often used to add a touch of humor or whimsy. Just a smidgen of pepper will do. Could you give me a smidgen of your time, please?
dash	Usually used in cooking or mixing drinks to refer to a very small amount of an ingredient, often a liquid. Add a dash of salt to the soup. He put a dash of milk into his coffee.

Examples of usage

Could I have a little more milk in my coffee?
She only had a little of the pie.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Linguistic Usage

In English, 'a little' often precedes uncountable nouns, like 'a little water' or 'a little sugar.'
'A little' can indicate not only size but also a degree, such as 'a little tired' meaning somewhat tired.
In informal contexts, it can express a negative connotation, as in 'This is not a little problem,' indicating it's quite significant.

Cultural References

The phrase 'a little goes a long way' suggests that even small amounts of something can be effective.
In various cultures, the concept of 'little' is often associated with modesty and humility.
Children’s books often feature the phrase 'a little' to teach the concept of smallness to young audiences.

Psychology

Studies show that perceived smallness can evoke feelings of comfort and safety, often linked to childhood experiences.
The way we interpret 'a little' can affect our emotions, often generating feelings of kindness or generosity.
In teaching contexts, breaking down information into 'a little' at a time helps improve learning and retention.

Everyday Language

Many common phrases use 'a little,' such as 'a little bird told me' suggesting a rumor or secret.
The phrase 'a little bit of...' is frequently used in conversations to soften requests or statements, making them sound less demanding.
'Just a little' is often used to express desire for something small, like asking for a taste of food.

Origin of 'a little'

Main points about word origin

'Little' comes from Old English 'lytel,' which means small or not large.
The word 'a' is a form of the indefinite article in English, used before nouns that are not specified.
'A little' has been used together in the English language for centuries to express small quantities.

The word 'little' originated from the Old English word 'lytel', which is derived from the Proto-Germanic word 'lutilaz'. Over time, the meaning of 'little' has evolved to refer to something small in size or amount. The word has been used in English literature and everyday language for centuries to describe things that are not big or great.