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.
That is why Pack, who owns four stores in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, is a little nervous right now.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 4, 2026
This trip to Brooklyn, and the other trips, were a little less irritating, though.
From Barron's • May 3, 2026
In his opening remarks Friday night, Giuliani coughed and said, “My voice is a little under the weather, so I won’t be able to speak as loudly as I usually do.”
From Los Angeles Times • May 3, 2026
PDT is a little early to begin your neighborhood party, but we’re not judging.
From Los Angeles Times • May 2, 2026
To communicate, she and I invented a little game, something like Twenty Questions.
From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom
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.
