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little
/ˈlɪtəl/
small in size or amount
She has a little dog that follows her everywhere.
The dog is small in size.
general
small in size or amount
He gave me a little money for the bus.
He gave a small amount of money.
The baby took a little nap.
The baby took a short nap.
Can refer to physical size or quantity.
general
not much or not many
I know little about the subject.
I don't know much about the subject.
Used to emphasize a small amount or lack of something.
general
young or younger
She is my little sister.
She is my younger sister.
Used affectionately to refer to someone younger.
informal
insignificant or unimportant
It's a little thing, don't worry about it.
It's not important, don't worry about it.
Used to downplay the importance of something.
Collocations
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Affectionate Use
'Little' is often used affectionately, like 'little brother' or 'little one'.
Downplaying Importance
It can soften criticism, e.g., 'It's a little thing' means it's not important.
Gold Rule
Context Matters
The meaning can vary based on context—size, quantity, or importance.
Word Origin
Old English 'lytel', from Proto-Germanic 'luttila', meaning 'small'.
Usage Notes
Can function as an adjective, adverb, noun, or determiner. Often used to express affection or to downplay importance.
Word Breakdown
little
small or not much
rootEnglish Dictionary