a little

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Word: A Little

Part of Speech: Adverb

Definition:

"A little" means a small amount or to a small degree. It is used to indicate that something is not much, but there is some quantity or degree of it.

Usage Instructions:

• Use "a little" when you want to describe something that is not a lot.
• It's often used with uncountable nouns (like water, sugar, or time) or with adjectives to show that something is slightly true.

Examples:

1. Describing quantity:

   • "I would like a little sugar in my tea." (This means you want a small amount of sugar.)

2. Describing degree:

   • "It’s a little cold outside." (This means it is somewhat cold, but not very cold.)

3. Describing improvement:

   • "I feel a little better today." (This means you feel somewhat better than before.)

Advanced Usage:

• In more formal contexts, you might see "a little" used to soften statements or requests:
  • "Could you help me with this, just a little?" (This sounds gentler than asking for a lot of help.)

Word Variants:

• "Little" can also be used on its own, but it usually has a more negative connotation, implying a lack of something. For example, "There is little hope." (This means there is not much hope at all.)
• "A bit" is a similar phrase that can often replace "a little."

Different Meanings:

• "A little" can also imply some degree of affection or endearment. For example:
  • "She’s a little angel." (This suggests she is sweet or well-behaved.)

Synonyms:

• Some synonyms for "a little" include:
  • "Somewhat"
  • "Slightly"
  • "A bit"
  • "A tad"
  • "A trifle"

Idioms:

• There aren’t specific idioms that use "a little," but you might hear phrases like:
  • "Just a little bit" (This emphasizes a small amount even more).

Phrasal Verbs:

• While "a little" isn’t directly related to phrasal verbs, you might use it in sentences with phrasal verbs, such as:
  • "Can you turn down the music a little?" (This means to reduce the volume slightly.)

Summary:

In summary, "a little" is a useful phrase to express a small amount or degree of something. It can make your language more gentle and polite, and it is frequently used in everyday conversation.

Academic

Adverb

1. to a small degree; somewhat
   • it's a bit warm
   • felt a little better
   • a trifle smaller

Synonyms

• a bit
• a trifle