Difference Between Small & Little

Small vs Little

The distinction between small and little can be somewhat unclear, leading to confusion about when to use each word. Small is used as an adjective and an adverb, while little is used as an adjective, determiner, pronoun, and adverb. Little comes from the Old English word lȳtel, and small comes from the Old English word smæl. There are many phrases that use the words small and little, such as feel small, in a small way, in little, and little by little.

What does Small mean?

Small refers only to size and is considered the opposite of “big” or “large.” For example, in the sentence, “It is a small house,” the word small expresses the size of the house. When the word little is used to suggest size, it often includes an adverb as well, such as in the sentence, “Look at the pretty little house,” where the word little is accompanied by the adverb “pretty.”

What does Little mean?

Little, on the other hand, is used to express an emotion or sometimes an idea of smallness. For example, in the sentence, “I have decided to look after the poor little thing,” the word little suggests affection for a living being, like a dog or a cat. In the sentence, “Her brother is a funny little man,” the word little is used to suggest an idea of smallness. Sometimes, little suggests nothingness, as in the sentence, “There is little water in the jar,” which implies that there is almost no water in the jar. Little can also suggest the meaning of short, as in the sentence, “A little while ago she left the home.”

Key Takeaways

• Small refers only to size and is the opposite of “big” or “large.”
• Little is used to express emotion or an idea of smallness and can also suggest nothingness or shortness.
• These nuances in meaning are the primary differences between small and little.