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Synonyms for little


Grammar : Adj, adv, noun
Spell : lit-l
Phonetic Transcription : ˈlɪt l

Top 10 synonyms for little Other synonyms for the word little

Définition of little

Origin :
  • Old English lytel "not large, not much; short in distance or time; unimportant," also used in late Old English as a noun, "small piece; a short time," from West Germanic *lutilla- (cf. Old Saxon luttil, Dutch luttel, Old High German luzzil, German lützel, Gothic leitils "little"), perhaps originally a diminutive of the root of Old English lyt "little, few," from PIE *leud- "small." "Often synonymous with small, but capable of emotional implications which small is not" [OED].
  • Phrase the little woman "wife" attested from 1795. Little people "the faeries" is from 1726; as "children," it is attested from 1752; as "ordinary people" (opposed to the great), it is attested from 1827. Little Neck clams (1884) are so called for Little Neck, Long Island, a "neck" of land on the island's North Shore. Little by little is from late 15c. (litylle be litille). Little green men "space aliens" is from 1950. Little black dress is from 1939.
  • At the beginning of summer, smart women who stay in town like to wear sheer "little black dresses." Because most "little black dresses" look alike, retailers struggle each year to find something which will make them seem new. ["Life," June 13, 1939]
  • Little Orphan Annie originally was (as Little Orphant Annie) the character in James Whitcomb Riley's 1885 poem, originally titled "Elf Child." The U.S. newspaper comic strip created by Harold Gray (1894-1968) debuted in 1924 in the New York "Daily News."
  • LITTLE Orphant Annie's come to our house to stay,An' wash the cups an' saucers up, an' brush the crumbs away,An' shoo the chickens off the porch, an' dust the hearth, an' sweep,An' make the fire, an' bake the bread, an' earn her board-an'-keep;An' all us other childern, when the supper-things is done,We set around the kitchen fire an' has the mostest funA-list'nin' to the witch-tales 'at Annie tells about,An' the Gobble-uns 'at gits youEf youDon'tWatchOut![Riley, "Elf Child"]
  • adj small in size, amount
  • adj not important
  • adj narrow-minded
  • adv infrequently, not much
  • noun small amount of something
Example sentences :
  • I could see she was annoyed and a little worried, because he was past taking notice.
  • Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson
  • The laughter and talk were as little subdued as the scheme of the rooms.
  • Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson
  • I'm forty-two and not so much of a fool that I ain't a little bit of a physician.
  • Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson
  • The little truffled French sausages aroused his better nature.
  • Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson
  • Give your heart up to it, as a little child led by its mother's hand!
  • Extract from : « Philothea » by Lydia Maria Child
  • Not a blamed thing but a lot of stubs in a check-book, and a little fat.
  • Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson
  • Might it not be well to ease up a little after he's out there?
  • Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson
  • "I thought I would come and tell you," said Halbert, coloring a little.
  • Extract from : « Brave and Bold » by Horatio Alger
  • Little Dennet came running down after them with two pinks in her hands.
  • Extract from : « The Armourer's Prentices » by Charlotte M. Yonge
  • "You will find my father in his office," she said, looking a little disappointed.
  • Extract from : « Brave and Bold » by Horatio Alger

Antonyms for little

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019