Definition of 'a bit'

Word Frequency

a bit

quantifier

A bit of something is a small amount of it.

All it required was a bit of work.

I got paid a little bit of money.

bit

Word Frequency

a bit

phrase

A bit means to a small extent or degree. It is sometimes used to make a statement less extreme.

[vagueness]

This girl was a bit strange.

I think people feel a bit more confident.

She looks a bit like his cousin Maureen.

That sounds a bit technical.

Isn't that a bit harsh?

Synonyms: somewhat, rather, quite, kind of [informal] More Synonyms of a bit

bit

Word Frequency

a bit

phrase

You use a bit before 'more' or 'less' to mean a small amount more or a small amount less.

I still think I have a bit more to offer.

Maybe we'll hear a little bit less noise.

...a bit more than half the total official debt.

bit

Word Frequency

a bit in British

rather; somewhat

a bit dreary

bit

Example sentences containing 'a bit'

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…

Then the office became a bit small. Times, Sunday Times (2016)They might smoke a bit less and cut down on the alcohol but food is both fuel and comfort. Times, Sunday Times (2017)In the meantime, perhaps gardeners should be a bit less vigorous with the pruning. Times, Sunday Times (2016)But their ability to foresee the future has been thrown into question, and their predictions sought a bit less as a result. The Sun (2017)It's good to be a bit selfish ; it stops you being too needy. Times, Sunday Times (2016)But a caravan anchored in a caravan park near the sea, somewhere on the south coast, is a bit less compelling. Times, Sunday Times (2016)But floating just above the knee looks a bit frumpy ; the eye's just drawn to the hem and all you see is knee. Times, Sunday Times (2016)It is a bit rough around the edges, but I feel a bit less decrepit for having made it. Times, Sunday Times (2016)The stage was a bit smaller than we thought too. The Sun (2010)We quote a bit less than you and get the work. Times, Sunday Times (2008)People need to be a bit less skittish. Times, Sunday Times (2013)We encourage landlords to take a bit less rent than they might have wanted as it is not peak season. Times, Sunday Times (2015)The portion was a bit small. The Sun (2008)Its realism is a bit stodgy; its flights into fantasy are familiar. Times, Sunday Times (2012)The repetitive lo-fi production leaves it sounding a bit small. The Sun (2013)The apartment is a bit small, but perfectly formed. Times, Sunday Times (2010)Basically it's a bit more than "energy" but a bit less than matter. Westcott, Patsy Alternative Health Care for Women (1991)His manhood is a bit too small for my needs and it's all over in minutes. The Sun (2007)Anything less seemed a bit lazy'. Times, Sunday Times (2006)Along the top of the house are servant quarters filled with small rooms, a bit like rooms on a boat. Christianity Today (2000)They're a bit less gangsta. Times, Sunday Times (2013)It's a bit small though. Times, Sunday Times (2007)I predict a bit less blue. Times, Sunday Times (2014)Though it was a bit less uncomfortable than being encased in an iron maiden, it did give me the most maddening itch. Kiam, Victor Going For It!: How to Succeed As an Entrepreneur (1986)L Maybe he could wind me up a bit less. The Sun (2013)A bit less than a year ago, it was closer to five. Times, Sunday Times (2013)Highly amusing if you watch in the right mood; a bit boorish if you don't. Times, Sunday Times (2007)Oh, it's a bit small. Times, Sunday Times (2012)He was touting him to City at the time but the recruitment officer did not fancy him because he was a bit on the small side. Times, Sunday Times (2016)I do not like Could do with a bit more power; noisy on motorways. Times, Sunday Times (2012)I hope it'll make you inquire a bit; it feels like a show or a gallery point of view. Times, Sunday Times (2014)This required an additional piece of equipment, for it is impossible to freeze liquids simply by immersing them in ice; a bit of alchemy is required. Gavin Weightman THE FROZEN WATER TRADE (2002)

Trends of 'a bit'

Very Common. a bit is one of the 4000 most commonly used words in the Collins dictionary

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Nearby words of 'a bit'

Related Terms of 'a bit'

Source

Definition of a bit from the Collins English Dictionary

Form of adverbs

Most adverbs are formed by adding -ly to the end of the related adjective. slow slowly clever cleverly annual annually Exceptionally, words which end in -ble drop off the -e before -ly is ...