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.
So I am a bit bewildered as pundits declare that the success of “The Odyssey” reflects some larger theme about what film audiences want.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2026
"We wished we helped a bit more, but we did what we could," she said.
From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2026
Alphabet also has fallen a bit behind in the race to make the most advanced, most capable AI models.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 2026
But the sudden and unpublicized switcheroo stunned Wall Street analysts and caused a bit of a mini controversy.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 22, 2026
The boys’ privy was rebuilt and newly shingled, mostly by Glenn, though Charlie wasn’t a bit grateful.
From "The Teacher’s Funeral" by Richard Peck
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.
