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.
"Very happy with how I gave myself the opportunity to win today and how I handled myself. Just got a bit unlucky on the second play-off hole there."
From BBC ● Aug. 2, 2026
Like many Havana residents who live near the Malecon, a coastal esplanade and seawall in the capital, Gonzalez was out trying to catch a bit of air.
From Barron's ● Aug. 2, 2026
“We have some elevated humidity across the area that increases those overnight low temperatures a bit as well.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 2, 2026
“I would put a lot of money on OpenAI winning back the mandate of heaven a bit from Anthropic.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 1, 2026
She doesn’t look angry about it, but rather curious, and maybe a bit disappointed.
From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam
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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.