iota

[ahy-oh-tuh]

noun

1. a very small quantity; jot; whit.

   Synonyms: mite, grain, atom, particle, bit

2. the ninth letter of the Greek alphabet (I, ι).

3. the vowel sound represented by this letter.

iota

/ aɪˈəʊtə /

noun

1. the ninth letter in the Greek alphabet (Ι, ι), a vowel or semivowel, transliterated as i or j

2. (usually used with a negative) a very small amount; jot (esp in the phrase not one or an iota )

Word History and Origins

Origin of iota¹

1600–10; < Latin iōta < Greek iôta < Semitic; compare Hebrew yōdh yod

Word History and Origins

Origin of iota¹

C16: via Latin from Greek, of Semitic origin; see _jot

Idioms and Phrases

see not one iota.

Example Sentences

"If they had an iota of humanity, they would have never done this to a woman. If it wasn't for her helmet, she could have died."

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Just in case there was an iota of doubt.

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To them, the 43 people American missile strikes have slaughtered on the open sea so far aren’t humans — and anyone who might have an iota of sympathy or doubt deserves aggression as well.

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Perhaps most painful among the nurses’ many miseries is their isolation: the secrets they keep in hopes of sparing their loved ones an iota of extra suffering.

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"It doesn't help the UK's advanced manufacturing sector one iota, because we don't see any of those funds," he said.

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Related Words

• ounce 
• smidgen 
• speck 
• whit