lille: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
A1 (Top 100 most common English words)Neutral to informal in most uses; can be slightly colloquial in some comparative/intensifying contexts.
Quick answer
What does “lille” mean?
small in size, amount, or degree.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
small in size, amount, or degree; not big or much
Used to express affection, triviality, shortness of time, or as an intensifier (with negatives).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. 'Little' as a quantifier is often preferred in UK English where US might use 'a bit of' or 'a little bit of'.
Connotations
Identical.
Frequency
Extremely common in both varieties with virtually identical frequency.
Grammar
How to Use “lille” in a Sentence
little + uncountable noun (little hope)a little + uncountable noun (a little sugar)adjective + little + noun (nice little cafe)verb + little (it matters little)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “lille” in a Sentence
adverb
British English
- I see him little these days.
- This recipe is little known outside the region.
American English
- She sleeps little during exam periods.
- He is little concerned with what others think.
adjective
British English
- She lives in a lovely little village in Cornwall.
- He made a little mistake on the form.
American English
- We stayed at a little cabin in the mountains.
- Can I have a little more coffee, please?
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used for modest amounts, minor details, or small-scale operations (e.g., 'little profit', 'little to report').
Academic
Common in quantifying or qualifying statements (e.g., 'little research has been done', 'with little variation').
Everyday
Ubiquitous for describing size, quantity, and as an affectionate diminutive (e.g., 'my little brother', 'just a little').
Technical
Used precisely in comparisons, measurements, or to denote negligible values (e.g., 'little correlation was found').
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “lille”
- Using 'few' with uncountable nouns (e.g., 'little money' not 'few money').
- Incorrect comparative: 'littler' is non-standard; use 'smaller'.
- Misspelling as 'littel'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Little' has a negative meaning (hardly any, not much). 'A little' has a positive meaning (some, a small amount). E.g., 'We have little time' (we're almost out of time) vs. 'We have a little time' (we have some time).
The comparative is 'less' or 'lesser', and the superlative is 'least'. 'Littler' and 'littlest' are only used informally, mainly for physical size.
No, for countable nouns (plural), use 'few' or 'a few'. 'Little' and 'a little' are only used with uncountable nouns (singular).
It is neutral and acceptable in all registers. However, some intensifying uses like 'a little bit' or affectionate uses like 'my little one' are more informal.
small in size, amount, or degree.
Lille: in British English it is pronounced /ˈlɪtl̩/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈlɪtl̩/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “little by little”
- “it's the little things”
- “a little bird told me”
- “a little goes a long way”
- “make little of”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'little' kitten - it's short in length (double 't' and 'l') and small in size.
Conceptual Metaphor
SMALL IS UNIMPORTANT / SMALL IS CUTE
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'little' correctly to mean 'not much'?