Pronunciation: ' li-t ə l
Function: adjective
Inflected Form: lit · tler \ ' li-t ə l- ə r, ' lit-l ə r \ or less \ ' les \ or less · er \ ' le-s ə r \ ; lit · tlest \ ' li-t ə l- ə st, ' lit-l ə st \ or least \ ' l ē st \
Etymology: Middle English littel, from Old English ly ̄ tel; akin to Old High German luzzil little
Date: before 12th century
1 : not big: as a : small in size or extent : TINY <has little feet> b : YOUNG <was too little to remember> c of a plant or animal : small in comparison with related forms ― used in vernacular names d : having few members or inhabitants <a little group> < little towns> e : small in condition, distinction, or scope <big business trampling on the little fellow> f : NARROW , MEAN <the pettiness of little minds> g : pleasingly small <a cute little thing> h ― used as an intensive <why, you little devil!>
2 : not much: as a : existing only in a small amount or to a slight degree <has little money> b : short in duration : BRIEF c : existing to an appreciable though not extensive degree or amount ― used with a <had a little money in the bank>
3 : small in importance or interest : TRIVIAL
synonyms see SMALL
– lit · tle · ness \ ' li-t ə l-n ə s \ noun