What does littler mean?
“Littler” is the comparative form of the adjective “little,” and it means smaller or less in size, amount, degree, or importance. It is commonly used in conversation: for example, someone may ask another person to speak “a littler more quietly” or refer to “the littler of two similar objects.” The word can also describe something as less serious or significant, as in “a littler matter.” Although “smaller” may be more formal or neutral in many contexts, “littler” has a friendly, conversational quality and often emphasizes a direct comparison. It is the form to use when the idea of “small” is being compared with something else, while “little” is the general descriptive form.
adjectiveComparative of “little”: smaller in size, amount, degree, or importance. It can also mean less serious, less intense, or more modest.
- Smaller in size, amount, degree, or importance than something else.
- Less serious, intense, or significant than something else.
"Could you speak a littler more quietly?"
"The littler kitten slept in the basket all afternoon."
"They offered the disagreement a littler more consideration."
“Littler” is the word you reach for when “small” is not enough and a comparison is doing the real work.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of littler
“Littler” was formed by adding the comparative suffix “-er” to “little,” an Old English adjective meaning small or insignificant. The suffix “-er” has long been used in English to form comparatives, as in “taller” and “greater.” The related noun “littleness” preserves the same root and refers to the condition or quality of being small or minor.
Related word forms
How littler is actually used
Informal and conversational in tone. It is especially common in speech and informal writing, though it is also standard in ordinary English.
Easily confused with littler
“Little” describes something that is small in a general or absolute sense, whereas “littler” compares one thing with another as being smaller.