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.
One important message is that the Fed’s inflation target is 2%, and not a little over 2% or any percentage rate that starts with a 2.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 29, 2026
He added proposals he previously put forward were intended to stop that, saying: "If everybody on the NHS principle contributed a little, it would mean everybody could protect the majority of what they'd worked for."
From BBC ● Jul. 29, 2026
“I think we’re finally starting to see that open up a little bit more,” Engelschall said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 29, 2026
"I think we just cropped it a little bit on the sides," he said.
From Barron's ● Jul. 29, 2026
I died a little inside when she said that.
From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam
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.
