little

Formsless, lesser, littler, least, littlest

Formsless, lesser, least

Plurallittles (some meanings)

1. 1
   small in sizeadjective

   Small and not big. Used of things, groups, or businesses.

   She lives in a little house at the end of the street.

   He gave the dog a little piece of cheese.

   UsageSay a little house, but the house is small.

   Similarsmall, tiny

   Oppositebig, large, huge

2. 2
   not muchdeterminer

   Not much, only a small amount of something.

   There is little milk left in the fridge.

   We had little time before the bus came.

   UsageLittle time means not much; a little time means some. Use few with plural nouns.

   Oppositemuch

3. 3
   adverb

   Not much, or only a very small amount.

   My grandparents travel little now and stay close to home.

   He slept little the night before the big test.

   UsageHe slept little means not much; he slept a little means some.

   Similarslightly, barely, hardly, scarcely

   Oppositemuch, greatly, considerably

4. 4
   adjective

   Young, or younger than someone else, especially a brother or sister.

   When I was little, we lived on a farm.

   The little kids played in the sandbox while the older ones rode bikes.

   UsageSay when I was little to mean when I was a child.

   Similaryoung, small, younger

   Oppositebig, older, grown

   Note
5. 5
   adjective

   Used before a word to show you love, like, or feel sorry for someone or something, not to describe size.

   Our dog is huge, but he is still our sweet little boy.

   Grandma loves her cozy little kitchen, even though it is the biggest room in the house.

   UsageSay poor little thing or sweet little dog to show warm feelings.

   Note
6. 6
   not muchpronoun

   Not much, only a small amount.

   He said little during dinner.

   Little has changed in our town since last year.

   UsageSay little is known about it, meaning people know very little.

   Oppositemuch

7. 7
   noununcountable

   A small amount of something.

   Pour a little of the juice into each cup.

   He knows a little about cars, enough to change a tire.

   UsageSay a little of the juice.

   Similarbit, touch, dash, drop, smidgen

   Note
8. 8
   adjective

   Not important, not worth worrying about.

   Don't worry about little problems like a missing button.

   They argued about every little thing on the trip.

   UsageSay every little thing for all the small, unimportant things.

   Similarminor, trivial, slight, small, insignificant

   Oppositemajor, serious, significant, important

   Note
9. 9
   briefadjective

   Short in time, not lasting long.

   Let's take a little rest before we keep walking.

   He waited a little while, then knocked again.

   UsageSay wait a little while.

   Similarbrief, short, quick

   Oppositelong, lengthy, prolonged

10. 10
    insultingadjectivederogatory

    Used before a word for a person to insult them and make them seem unimportant.

    The manager called him a little nobody in front of the whole team.

    She was tired of being treated like some little assistant who could not think for herself.

    Similarpetty, two-bit, measly, insignificant

    Note

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