a bit
Idioms-
A small amount of anything; also, a short period of time. For example, Here's a bit of wrapping paper , or It'll be ready in a bit , or Just wait a bit . [c. 1600]
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Somewhat or rather, as in It stings a bit , or Will you have a bit more to eat? [Second half of 1600s] Also see bit by bit ; not a bit .
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
To the Dodgers, well, it was another day on the job, if a bit louder than usual at the start.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026
The race, which is held every Easter Monday, began as a bit of banter between men in a local pub.
From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026
The S&P 500 is getting a bit of a shake-up later this week, as an operator of convenience stores joins the benchmark index.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 6, 2026
“If you didn’t have a type A personality and if you weren’t a bit of a perfectionist, you weren’t going to be a partner at Cravath,” Widen said.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026
His soul, too, had been dragging a bit, weary and short-tempered.
From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.