/ ˈlɪtl; NAmE / adjective , determiner , pronoun , adverb
■ adjective [ usually before noun ]
HELP NOTE : The forms littler / ˈlɪtlə(r) / and littlest / ˈlɪtlɪst / are rare. It is more common to use smaller and smallest .
1.
not big; small; smaller than others :
a little house
a little group of tourists
a little old lady
the classic little black dress
'Which do you want?' 'I'll take the little one.'
She gave a little laugh.
( BrE )
We should manage, with a little bit of luck.
Here's a little something (= a small present) for your birthday.
2.
used after an adjective to show affection or dislike, especially in a patronizing way (= one that suggests that you think you are better than sb) :
The poor little thing ! It's lost its mother.
What a nasty little man!
She's a good little worker.
He'd become quite the little gentleman.
3.
young :
a little boy / girl
my little brother / sister (= younger brother / sister)
I lived in America when I was little.
4.
( of distance or time ) short :
A little while later the phone rang.
Shall we walk a little way?
5.
not important; not serious :
I can't remember every little detail.
You soon get used to the little difficulties.
•
IDIOMS
see oak
► little·ness noun [ U ]
•
IDIOMS
- a little bird told me
—more at wonder noun
■ determiner , pronoun
1.
used with uncountable nouns to mean 'not much' :
There was little doubt in my mind.
Students have little or no choice in the matter.
I understood little of what he said.
She said little or nothing (= hardly anything) about her experience.
Tell him as little as possible .
2.
a little used with uncountable nouns to mean 'a small amount', 'some' :
a little milk / sugar / tea
If you have any spare milk, could you give me a little?
I've only read a little of the book so far.
( formal )
It caused not a little / no little (= a lot of) confusion.
After a little (= a short time) he got up and left.
•
IDIOMS
- little by little
■ adverb ( less , least )
1.
not much; only slightly :
He is little known as an artist.
I slept very little last night.
Little did I know that this spelled the end of my career.
2.
a little (bit) to a small degree :
She seemed a little afraid of going inside.
These shoes are a little (bit) too big for me.
( informal )
Everything has become just that little bit harder.
( formal )
She felt tired and more than a little worried.
➡ note at bit
••
WORD ORIGIN
Old English lӯtel , of Germanic origin; related to Dutch luttel , German dialect lützel .