1
: a small or insignificant amount or degree : bit
might give him some water and a tad to eatC. T. Walker
2
: a small child
especially : boy
Phrases
a tad
: somewhat, rather
looked a tad bigger than meLarry Hodgson

Examples of tad in a Sentence

there's more than just a tad of hyperbole in the critics' praise for the promising young pianist grandfather never tires of telling us about the days when he was just a tad
Recent Examples on the Web Thou art a tad boozier, too, which makes for a less quaffable brew. Peter Rowe, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 May 2024 The action at the Wedge started in the 1950s with the advent of swim fins and a handful of brave, maybe a tad loco, souls who loved bodysurfing more than any other form of wave riding. Corky Carroll, Orange County Register, 17 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for tad 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tad.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

probably from English dialect, toad, from Middle English tode — more at toad

First Known Use

circa 1877, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of tad was circa 1877

Dictionary Entries Near tad

Cite this Entry

“Tad.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tad. Accessed 28 May. 2024.

Kids Definition

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