a bit
Idioms-
A small amount of anything; also, a short period of time. For example, Here's a bit of wrapping paper , or It'll be ready in a bit , or Just wait a bit . [c. 1600]
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Somewhat or rather, as in It stings a bit , or Will you have a bit more to eat? [Second half of 1600s] Also see bit by bit ; not 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.
Earlier this week, the Pentagon told Congress that the cost of the war has climbed to $42 billion, a bit over the most recent estimates of $38 billion from the Congressional Budget Office.
From Salon ● Sep. 19, 2026
“It’s not winning and losing anymore, which was a bit of a shock to the system. But I actually won every day.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 19, 2026
If you think he is different from other people you’ve gone out with, putting in a bit more time and money to get to know him might be worth it.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 19, 2026
At first, I felt a bit untethered and my group had to over communicate to keep track of each other.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026
I could see Celia’s hands trembling just a bit.
From "Nory Ryan’s Song" by Patricia Reilly Giff
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.
