26984 words

littlest

22 definitions • 50 examples
1
small in size or amount:

Examples:

It came in a little box.
a little dog/nose/room
A little old man came into the room.
He gave a little smile.
It'll only take a little while to clear up the kitchen.
2
a small amount of food or drink:

Examples:

I always like to have a little something around eleven o'clock in the morning.
3
a present that is not of great value:

Examples:

I want to buy a little something to give to Val when I visit her in hospital.
4

Examples:

When you were little your hair was really curly.
She was my little (= younger) sister and I took care of her.
Her little boy (= her young son) isn't well.
5
used to emphasize an opinion that is being given about something or someone:

Examples:

That was a nice little suit she was wearing.
It's not a bad little restaurant, is it?
He's a nasty little man.
6
not very important or serious:

Examples:

I had a little problem with my car, but it's been fixed now.
It's often the little things that count the most.
Can I have a little word (= a short discussion about something not very important) with you?
7
not much or enough:

Examples:

There seems little hope of a ceasefire.
They have very little money.
There's so little choice.
8
a small amount of something:

Examples:

This sauce needs a little salt.
With a little training she could do very well.
Can I give you a little advice?
9

Examples:

I could only hear a little of what they were saying.
He does as little as possible at work.
There's not much flour left but you're welcome to the/what little there is.
10
an amount that is not much or not enough:

Examples:

We did very little on Sunday.
Very little of what he said made any sense to me.
Unfortunately, little of the artist's work has survived.
The government has done little or nothing to help the poorest people in this country.
The little we do know about the people who lived here suggests they had a very sophisticated society.
11

Examples:

I was a little bit worried by what she said.
12

Examples:

Little by little she came to understand why he had behaved the way he did.
13
not much:

Examples:

She slept very little that night.
a little-known fact
Little did he know what lay in store for him.
14
not much more or better:

Examples:

The wine they gave us was little better than vinegar.
15
small in size or amount, or brief in time:

Examples:

She has a little room on the top floor where she works on her computer.
They have very little money.
It’ll take me a little while longer to get ready.
16
Little can be used with approving words for emphasis:

Examples:

They have a nice little house.
17

Examples:

When you were little, you and your brother were always fighting.
My little brother/sister (= younger brother or sister) is seven years old.
He stayed home from work today because his little boy/girl (= young son or daughter) is sick.
18
not important or not serious:

Examples:

I had a little problem with my car, but it’s fixed now.
19
not much:

Examples:

The county has done little to improve the traffic problem.
It’s a little-known fact that technically ticks are not insects.
20
A little means slightly:

Examples:

She was a little frightened.
You’re walking a little too fast for me.
21

Examples:

I could understand very little of what he said.
22
A little means a small amount of something:

Examples:

"Do we have any sugar left?" "A little."

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