Phrase guide

little old

adj · 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.

  • Australia: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

adj

Meaning 1

Emphatically, affectionately, or humorously little; ordinary or harmless (especially when trying to downplay the importance of something).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: Southern-US, US, idiomatic, informal, not-comparable

Examples

  • Well aren't you just a little old sweetheart?
  • A: I love your dress! B: What, this little old thing?
  • How about a little old game of pool?

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adj

Meaning 2

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see little, old.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: not-comparable

Examples

  • This joke is getting a little old.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

8 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: pikku — little - emphatically, affectionately, or humorously
  • Polish: malutki — little - emphatically, affectionately, or humorously
  • Spanish: ínfimo — little - emphatically, affectionately, or humorously
  • Spanish: menudo — little - emphatically, affectionately, or humorously
  • Spanish: baladí — little - emphatically, affectionately, or humorously
  • Spanish: irrisorio — little - emphatically, affectionately, or humorously
  • Spanish: nimio — little - emphatically, affectionately, or humorously
  • Spanish: parvo — little - emphatically, affectionately, or humorously