What does little mean?
Little is a flexible English word used primarily as an adjective and adverb to indicate smallness, a small amount, or a slight degree. It can describe physical size, as in a little house, limit quantity, as in there is little time, or convey that something is of minor importance, as in a little-known author. Before certain nouns, it can also mean young, as in a little boy, and it is frequently used affectionately. As an adverb, little means not much or to a small extent: She knows little about the subject and He slept little. As a noun, little can refer to a small or young person or thing, often with a tender or literary tone. Little often carries implications of affection, understatement, or emotional emphasis, so a little of something can suggest that the quantity is modest while still mattering.
Small in size, amount, degree, or importance; young or small in age.
"The little village was surrounded by fields."
When meaning young, it is often affectionate rather than merely descriptive.
To a small extent or degree; not much, or hardly at all.
"The children little understood what had happened."
This use is somewhat formal or literary in contexts such as little understood, little changed, and little known.
A person or thing regarded as small, young, or unimportant.
"The little waved goodbye from the doorway."
As a noun, it is most natural in affectionate speech and literary contexts.
The plural is uncommon, but it is used for several small people, animals, or things regarded as little.
"The littles gathered around the table."
Little can mean physically small, but it can also make something sound more important than it is: a little kindness, a little progress, or a little white lie.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of little
The modern word descends through Middle English litel from Old English lytel, meaning small or of little amount. Its precise ultimate origin is uncertain, although it is commonly treated as an old Germanic word with a diminutive formation. Over time, the word developed from a general sense of smallness into its current broad range of meanings concerning size, quantity, age, degree, and significance.
Related word forms
How little is actually used
Little is common in everyday speech and can express affection, sympathy, or understatement depending on context. In phrases such as a little and a little, it means a small amount; in a little-known or a little-used form, it means rarely or not often. As a noun, it is often used affectionately, especially for children or young animals.
Easily confused with little
Little describes a small amount or degree, while few describes a small number of people or things.
Little often refers to size or amount, whereas minor more commonly refers to lesser importance, significance, or seriousness.