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   little

   /ˈlɪtl/

   adjective

   • 1. small in size, amount, or degree (often used to convey an appealing diminutiveness or express an affectionate or condescending attitude): "the plants will grow into little bushes" Similar smallsmall-scalecompactminiminiaturetinyminuteminusculetoybabypocketundersizeddwarfmidgetfun-sizebijoudaintycutesweetdearweeinformal:teenyteeny-weenyteensyteensy-weensyitsy-bitsyhalf-pintdinkytitchyickletiddlylittle-bittyvest-pocketshortsmallslightthinpetitediminutivetinysquatstubbyelfindwarfdwarfishmidgetpygmybantamhomuncularLilliputianweeinformal:teenyteeny-weenypint-sizedknee high to a grasshopperOpposite biglargebiglarge
   • ▪ (of a person) young or younger: "my little brother" Similar youngyoungerjuniorsmallbabyinfantminorOpposite bigoldelder
   • ▪ denoting something, especially a place, that is the smaller or smallest of those so named or is named after a similar larger one: "the village of Little Chesterton"
   • ▪ used in names of animals and plants that are smaller than related kinds, e.g. little grebe.
   • ▪ of short distance or duration: "stay for a little while" Similar briefshortshort-livedfleetingmomentarytransitorytransientephemeralevanescentinfinitesimalfastquickhastycursoryweeOpposite long
   • ▪ relatively unimportant or trivial (often used ironically): "we have a little problem" Similar minorunimportantinsignificanttrivialtriflingpettypaltryinconsequentialnegligibleinconsiderablenugatoryof minor importanceof little/no accountOpposite significantimportant

   determiner

   • 1. a small amount of: "we got a little help from a training scheme"
   • ▪ a short time or distance: "after a little, the rain stopped"
   • 2. used to emphasize how small an amount is: "I have little doubt of their identity"

   adverb

   • 1. to a small extent: "he reminded me a little of my parents"
   • 2. only to a small extent; not much or often (used for emphasis): "he was little known in this country"
   • ▪ hardly or not at all: "little did he know what wheels he was putting into motion" Similar hardlybarelyscarcelynot muchonly slightlyslightlyonly justrarelyseldominfrequentlyhardly everhardlyscarcely everscarcelynot muchOpposite welloften

   Word Origin Old Englishlȳtel, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch luttel, German dialect lützel.

   Derivatives

   • 1. littleness noun

   Scrabble Points: 6

   • L

     1

   • I

     1

   • T

     1

   • T

     1

   • L

     1

   • E

     1

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