a little
Idioms-
A small amount, as in Will you have some more meat? Yes, just a little . [Early 1400s]
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Somewhat or rather, slightly, as in I am a little annoyed with Harry . [Late 1300s] For a synonym, see a bit .
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.
"A little bit," he replied when asked by BBC Radio Northampton how often he gets recognised off the pitch.
From BBC • Apr. 30, 2026
A little under two hours after the launch, the satellites separated from the rocket and were released into low-Earth orbit in stages.
From Barron's • Apr. 30, 2026
A little bit of breathing room is necessary for any creative entity to establish itself, and the same could be said with this age of “SNL.”
From Salon • Apr. 19, 2026
“It makes you wonder, why don’t they tell you? A little scary.”
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026
A little delay on the trip to Manila.
From "Carry On, Mr. Bowditch" by Jean Lee Latham
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.
