tad

[ tad ]

/ tæd /

Save This Word!

noun Informal.

a small child, especially a boy.

a very small amount or degree; bit: Please shift your chair a tad to the right. The frosting could use a tad more vanilla.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of tad

1875–80, Americanism,for def. 1; 1935–40, Americanism,for def. 2; perhaps shortening of tadpole

Words nearby tad

taction, tactless, tactual, tactus, Tacubaya, tad, ta-da, Tadema, Tadjik, Tadmor, tadpole

Other definitions for tad (2 of 2)

Tad

[ tad ]

/ tæd /

noun

a male given name, form of Thaddeus or Theodore.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use tad in a sentence

For each grasp, they shifted either the object or grabber just a tad.
Easy for you, tough for a robot|Kathryn Hulick|November 18, 2021|Science News For Students
It takes us out of ourselves, just for a bit, and returns us with—hopefully—a tad more perspective and peace.
Tips for Sleeping Outside Alone|Blair Braverman|June 16, 2021|Outside Online
It may be an impossible job but a good biopic — especially at this luxurious length — should leave you with a tad more insight.
New Aretha bioseries dramatizes singer’s turbulent life|Joey DiGuglielmo|March 19, 2021|Washington Blade
Although the experimental sauce didn’t go down particularly well with Venezuelan customers, some of whom told Araujo it was a tad too sweet, it was an instant hit among most other diners like myself.
Why Caracas Arepa Bar’s House Salsa Is a Condiment All-Star|Tanay Warerkar|January 29, 2021|Eater

Joe Sutter is 93 now, silver-haired and moving a tad more slowly than he would like, but still pugnacious and sharp of tongue.
The Sexy Dream of the 747|Clive Irving|October 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Onscreen, Teller is a bit like a young Vince Vaughn—gregarious, charming, and a tad suspicious.
Miles Teller’s Movie Star Moment: From the Brink of Death to ‘Whiplash’|Marlow Stern|October 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Even so, I feel a tad guilty to be depriving him of the opportunity.
Method Man Talks Wu-Tang Clan Reunion, Fake Rappers, and the Suge Knight Shooting|Marlow Stern|September 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
When a 16-year-old takes on that wide-eyed, touched-for-the-very-first-time role, it all comes off as a tad more…juvenile.
Why 'The Giver' Movie Will Disappoint the Book's Fans|Kevin Fallon|August 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Because we know she was once a tad more regular, and she feels like an old friend, and we watched her become who she is today.
Face It—We Rubes Will Never Live Like Gwyneth and Jennifer Aniston|Rachel Bertsche|July 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This reasoning displeased the dwarfs, and one of them named Tad denounced it with much indignation.
Honey-Bee|Anatole France
Me and his daddy was--was together when he died; and you used to sit on Wash's knee when you was a little tad.
The Shepherd of the Hills|Harold Bell Wright
He looked down the stairs and saw Tom and Tad Sobber near a landing, having a wordy quarrel.
The Rover Boys on the Farm|Arthur M. Winfield (AKA Edward Stratemeyer)
More than this, he had caught Tad Sobber in a falsehood only the day before.
The Rover Boys on the Farm|Arthur M. Winfield (AKA Edward Stratemeyer)
As they looked into the place they saw Tad Sobber reach over the counter and catch the girl clerk by her curls.
The Rover Boys on the Farm|Arthur M. Winfield (AKA Edward Stratemeyer)

British Dictionary definitions for tad

tad

/ (tæd) /

noun informal

US and Canadian a small boy; lad

US and Canadian a small bit or piece

a tad a little; rathershe may be a tad short but she got a top modelling job

Word Origin for tad

C20: short for tadpole

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012