Phrase guide

a little bit

adv · noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • Mid-Atlantic, US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

adv

Meaning 1

To a very small extent or degree.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: not-comparable

Examples

  • He could read it only a little bit.
  • Those shoes are a little bit too tight.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: a bit, a little, a little bit, a mite, a smidgen, a smidgeon, a tad, a touch, a trifle, barely, closely, faintly, hardly, imperceptibly, just, kinda, kinda sorta, kind of, low-key, marginally, mildly, modestly, nearly, only just, scarcely, slightly, somewhat, sorta, sorta kinda, sort of

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

A very small amount or time.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable

Examples

  • There's just a little bit left.
  • Even a little bit can make a difference.
  • I'll be there in a little bit.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: see at a bit

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.