little

Small in size

Little, though not as common as its synonym small, is a frequently used word to characterize things as being not big.

Usage favors little in a number of common collocations, including little bit, little doubt, little choice, little boy and little girl.

In modifier pairs we also commonly say precious little, cute little, and nice little.

Little works as an adverb in expressions such as care little and little known.

small

tiny

Extremely small in size

miniatureReduced-scale representation
miniSmall-scale version
petiteSmall and delicate

diminutive · compact · wee · teensy · minute · microscopic · pint-sized · pocket-sized · bite-sized · undersized

minor

trivial

Lacking significance or weight

insignificantLacking importance or consequence
smallLimited in size
triflingOf no real importance

petty · negligible · inconsequential · unimportant · modest · meager · paltry · nominal · marginal · limited

brief

moment

Brief period of time

whileDuring that period
bitSmall amount or portion
spellArrange letters correctly

stretch · time · pause · instant · second · minute · jiffy · tick · flash · glimpse

young

child

Person before puberty

toddlerChild learning to walk
infantVery young child
babyVery young child

kid · youngster · tot · tyke · newborn · juvenile · small fry · munchkin · tike · nipper

endearing

darling

Beloved person or pet

dearTreasured or costly
sweetTasting of sugar
preciousHighly esteemed, greatly valued

cute · lovable · adorable · charming · cherished · beloved · treasured · sweetheart · dearest · pet

Categories

two-syllablesapple, baby, better, candle, chicken
childlike traitsplayful, curious, innocent, imaginative, young
quantitiessome, many, few, amount, several
shortshort, brief, small, tiny, mini
size wordsbig, small, short, large, huge
sizessmall, medium, large, extra large, extra small

Opposites

physical size

littlebig

Of great size

large · huge · enormous · giant · massive

quantity/amount

littlemuch

Great quantity or degree

plenty · considerable · substantial · abundant · ample

importance/significance

littleimportant

Of great significance

significant · great · major · considerable · substantial

Phrases

a littleTo minor extent
little girlYoung female child
little bitSmall quantity or degree
little brotherYounger male sibling
little sisterYounger female sibling
a little bitA small amount

Family

belittle, little one, littlest, little black dress, littler, belittling, belittlement, little boy, little girl

Familiarity: Top 1,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Everyday, not technical · Rated G