noun
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the ninth letter in the Greek alphabet (Ι, ι), a vowel or semivowel, transliterated as i or j
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(usually used with a negative) a very small amount; jot (esp in the phrase not one or an iota )
Etymology
Origin of iota
1600–10; < Latin iōta < Greek iôta < Semitic; compare Hebrew yōdh yod
Explanation
If you don't care one iota about something, it means you don’t care about it even one little bit. An iota is something very small. An iota is the smallest letter of the Greek alphabet. The expression "not one iota" comes from the Bible (Matthew 5:18): "For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished."
Vocabulary lists containing iota
To Kill a Mockingbird
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"To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, Chapters 20–25
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Words You Need to See in the Wild
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Hurricane Eta hit Nicaragua as a category 4 storm, followed two weeks later by another category 4 hurricane, Iota.
From Scientific American • Nov. 9, 2022
The area was also battered by two powerful hurricanes, Eta and Iota, in quick succession in 2020, causing an estimated $700 million in damage.
From Washington Times • Jul. 2, 2022
Members of the Nicaraguan Red Cross carry packed food to be distributed to the victims of Hurricane Iota, at their headquarters in Managua, Nicaragua November 26, 2020.
From Reuters • Mar. 25, 2022
On my dream day, Iota in Clarendon would still be a venue that was open, and I would be able to do another sold-out, headlining show at Iota with all my friends.
From Washington Post • Aug. 13, 2021
Don't trouble with Brown; be pleasant to Jones, but look out for Robinson, the fellow with a Kappa Iota Omega pin.
From David Malcolm by Lloyd, Nelson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
