littler
ˈli-tᵊl-ər 
or lesser
ˈle-sər
; littlest
ˈli-tᵊl-əst
ˈlit-lər
or less
ˈles
or lesser
ˈle-sər
; littlest
ˈli-tᵊl-əst
ˈlit-ləst
or least
ˈlēst
1
: not big: such 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
g
: pleasingly small
a cute little thing
h
—used as an intensive
why, you little devil!
2
: not much: such as
a
: existing only in a small amount or to a slight degree
has little money
b
: short in duration : brief
There is little time left.
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
a few little problems to be dealt with
1
a
: in only a small quantity or degree : slightly
facts that were little known at the time
b
: not at all
cared little for their neighbors
2
: not much : almost nothing
Little has changed.
There was little to spare.
They ate little that morning.
The child recalled/understood little of what happened.
There is little we can do to help.
His argument did little to change their minds.
They told us precious little about the situation.
plural littles
1
: a small amount or quantity
She felt better after she'd eaten a little.
There's still some money left, but only a very little.
They didn't understand much but they did understand a little.
They understood more than a little [=much] of what was going on.
The family worked hard to earn what little they could.
With quality perfumes a little goes a long way.—
Gerry Cupido
Gerry Cupido2
: a short time or distance
We sat and rested for a little.
It's on the right, just a little past the school.
3
: a young child : little one
How you introduce your littles to the trail helps determine what they think of hiking as they grow.—Backpacker
Backpacker… Beyoncé and JAY-Z don't post many photos of their littlest littles.—Azure Hall
Azure HallAs a mom determined to nurse each of her littles, I've tucked myself away in airplane bathrooms dozens of times to pump ounces of milk.—Kourtney Gibson
Kourtney Gibsonsee also a little
Synonyms
Adjective
Adverb
Noun
Examples of little in a Sentence
Adjective
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 little chance of succeeding.
These trinkets have little or no value.
We're having a little party this weekend.
a little group of people
Adverb
She works very little and sleeps even less.
Please speak as little as possible.
We had little more than we needed.
His art is little known in this country.
Noun
there's just a little of the pie left
Recent Examples on the WebMarci Robin, Allure, 23 Apr. 2024
But Covert City relies on standard sources and adds little new to the understanding of the shifting politics of the Cuban diaspora.
—Richard Feinberg, Foreign Affairs, 23 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for little 
Adjective
Its cartridge bears five stainless steel blades, surrounded by a soothing aloe rim, and the different color options for the handles (and matching magnetic holder wall mount) make shaving feel like a fun little treat.
—Marci Robin, Allure, 23 Apr. 2024
But Covert City relies on standard sources and adds little new to the understanding of the shifting politics of the Cuban diaspora.
—Richard Feinberg, Foreign Affairs, 23 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for little
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'little.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to little
Dictionary Entries Near little
Cite this Entry
“Little.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/little. Accessed 3 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
little
1 of 3 adjective
lit·tle
ˈlit-ᵊl
littler
ˈlit-ᵊl-ər
or lesser
ˈles-ər
; littlest
ˈlit-ᵊl-əst
ˈlit-lər
or less
ˈles
or lesser
ˈles-ər
; littlest
ˈlit-ᵊl-əst
ˈlit-ləst
or least
ˈlēst
1
a
: small in size
b
: young entry 1 sense 1a
was too little to remember
c
: small in comparison with related forms
little blue heron
d
: narrow entry 1 sense 3, mean
people with little minds
2
a
: small in quantity
there was little food to feed them
b
: short in duration
little time left
3
: small in importance
life's little problems
4
: being younger
my little brother
little
3 of 3 noun1
: a small amount or quantity
2
: a short time or distance
Medical Definition
little
adjective
lit·tle
ˈlit-ᵊl
littler
ˈlit-ᵊl-ər, ˈlit-lər
or less
ˈles
or lesser
ˈles-ər
; littlest
ˈlit-ᵊl-əst, ˈlit-ləst
or least
ˈlēst
or less
ˈles
or lesser
ˈles-ər
; littlest
ˈlit-ᵊl-əst, ˈlit-ləst
or least
ˈlēst
: not big: as
a
: small in size or extent
has little feet
b
of a plant or animal
: small in comparison with related forms
—used in vernacular names
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