little

¹lit·tle

adj \ˈli-t^əl\

lit·tler\ˈli-t^əl-ər, ˈlit-lər\ or less\ˈles\ or less·er\ˈle-sər\lit·tlest\ˈli-t^əl-əst, ˈlit-ləst\ or least\ˈlēst\

Definition of LITTLE

1

: not big: as a : small in size or extent : tiny <has little feet> b : young <was too little to remember> c of a plant or animal : small in comparison with related forms —used in vernacular names d : having few members or inhabitants <a little group> <little towns> e : small in condition, distinction, or scope <big business trampling on the little fellow> f : narrow, mean <the pettiness of little minds> g : pleasingly small <a cute little thing> h —used as an intensive <why, you little devil!>

2

: not much: as a : existing only in a small amount or to a slight degree <has little money> b : short in duration : brief c : existing to an appreciable though not extensive degree or amount —used with a <had a little money in the bank>

3

: small in importance or interest : trivial

— lit·tle·ness \ˈli-t^əl-nəs\ noun

Examples of LITTLE

1. I have very little money, so I can't lend you any.
2. I have less money than I did before.
3. I got very little sleep last night.
4. There's little hope of a rescue now.
5. You have little choice but to pay attention.
6. The new version bears little resemblance to the original.
7. These programs have very little chance of succeeding.
8. These trinkets have little or no value.
9. We're having a little party this weekend.
10. a little group of people

Origin of LITTLE

Middle English littel, from Old English lȳtel; akin to Old High German luzzil little

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to LITTLE

Synonyms: short, low, low-lying, low-slung, sawed-off

Antonyms: altitudinous, high, lofty, tall, towering

Related Words: dwarf, dwarfish; compact, petite, slight; diminutive, half-pint, pint-size (or pint-sized), pocket, pocket-size (also pocket-sized), pygmy, small, smallish; bantam, bitty, dinky, mini, miniature, minimized, minute, puny, teeny, teeny-weeny, tiny, undersized (also undersize), wee; dumpy, flat, scrubby, squat, squatty, stubby, stumpy, stunted

Near Antonyms: elevated, lifted, raised, uplifted, upswept; high-rise, statuesque; gangling, gangly, lanky, rangy; big, bulky, hefty, hulking, large, largish, outsize (also outsized), oversize (or oversized), sizable (or sizeable), voluminous

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Rhymes with LITTLE

brittle, kittle, skittle, spital, spittle, tittle, victual, whittle, wittol