1 lit·tle
Pronounced:
/ˈlɪtl̟/
Function:
adjectiveInflected forms:
less /ˈlɛs/ or less·er /ˈlɛsɚ/ also lit·tler /ˈlɪtl̟ɚ/ least /ˈli:st/ also lit·tlest /ˈlɪtl̟əst/ Meaning:
1 a : small in size ▪ She has little feet. ▪ a little island/airplane ▪ a little business ▪ Our school is little. ▪ a tiny little fish ▪ This room is littler [=(more commonly) smaller] than that one. b : not tall : short ▪ a little man ▪ a littler [=(more commonly) smaller, shorter] man c : small in amount ▪ I have very little money, so I can't lend you any. ▪ I have less money than I did before. ▪ I got very little sleep last night. ▪ There's little hope of a rescue now. ▪ You have little choice but to pay attention. ▪ The new version bears little resemblance to the original. ▪ These programs have very/precious little chance of succeeding. ▪ The help he offered us was too little, too late. [=it was not as much help as we needed and it was offered too late to be helpful] ▪ There has been little if any improvement. [=there has been almost no improvement] ▪ These trinkets have little or no value. ▪ There was no little sadness in his voice. [=there was a lot of sadness in his voice] d : not having many things or people included ▪ We're having a little party this weekend. ▪ a little group of people ▪ a little village ▪ her little hometown
2 : young or younger ▪ I loved swimming when I was little. ▪ a little boy/girl ▪ He's very proud of his little boy/girl. [=of his young son/daughter] ▪ How's your little one? [=your young(est) son or daughter] ▪ my little brother/sister [=my brother/sister who is younger than I am]
3 always used before a noun : not lasting for a long time ▪ I have to take a little break. ▪ We sat down for a little chat. ▪ We talked for a little while.
4 always used before a noun : not very important ▪ There are a few little problems that still have to be dealt with. ▪ He memorized every little detail of the scene. —sometimes used in an ironic way to describe something important ▪ There's just one little problem we haven't discussed: the company is going bankrupt! ▪ I need to talk to you about the little matter of the money you owe me.
5 always used before a noun : not easily seen, heard, etc. ▪ He gave her a little smile. ▪ She made a little wave with her hand. ▪ She spoke in a quiet little voice.
6 always used before a noun a —used to refer to someone or something in an approving or friendly way ▪ That's a nice little car you've got there. ▪ You poor little thing. ▪ Bless your little heart. b —used to refer to someone or something in a disapproving or critical way ▪ He's a little jerk. ▪ It was a mean little joke. ▪ She has a dirty little secret.
7 always used before a noun : not open to new ideas ▪ people with little [=small, narrow] minds
2 : young or younger ▪ I loved swimming when I was little. ▪ a little boy/girl ▪ He's very proud of his little boy/girl. [=of his young son/daughter] ▪ How's your little one? [=your young(est) son or daughter] ▪ my little brother/sister [=my brother/sister who is younger than I am]
3 always used before a noun : not lasting for a long time ▪ I have to take a little break. ▪ We sat down for a little chat. ▪ We talked for a little while.
4 always used before a noun : not very important ▪ There are a few little problems that still have to be dealt with. ▪ He memorized every little detail of the scene. —sometimes used in an ironic way to describe something important ▪ There's just one little problem we haven't discussed: the company is going bankrupt! ▪ I need to talk to you about the little matter of the money you owe me.
5 always used before a noun : not easily seen, heard, etc. ▪ He gave her a little smile. ▪ She made a little wave with her hand. ▪ She spoke in a quiet little voice.
6 always used before a noun a —used to refer to someone or something in an approving or friendly way ▪ That's a nice little car you've got there. ▪ You poor little thing. ▪ Bless your little heart. b —used to refer to someone or something in a disapproving or critical way ▪ He's a little jerk. ▪ It was a mean little joke. ▪ She has a dirty little secret.
7 always used before a noun : not open to new ideas ▪ people with little [=small, narrow] minds
—lit·tle·ness /ˈlɪtl̟nəs/ noun [noncount] ▪ the littleness of the room ▪ the littleness of their minds
/ˈlɪtl̟nəs/ noun [noncount] ▪ the littleness of the room ▪ the littleness of their minds