[a bit] {n.}, {informal}
A small amount; some.
* /There's no sugar in the sugar bowl, but you may find a bit in the bag./* /If the ball had hit the window a bit harder, it would have broken it./
- Often used like an adverb.
* /This sweater scratches a bit./
- Also used like an adjective before "less", "more".
* /Janet thought she could lose weight by eating a bit less./* /"Have some more cake?" "Thanks. A bit more won't hurt me."/ — Often used adverbially after verbs in negative, interrogative, and conditional sentences, sometimes in the form "one bit".
* /"Won't your father be angry?" "No, he won't care a bit."/* /Helen feels like crying, but I'll be surprised if she shows it one bit./
- Sometimes used with "little" for emphasis, also in the emphatic form "the least bit".
* /"Wasn't Bob even a little bit sorry he forgot his date?" "No, Bob wasn't the least bit sorry."/
Syn.: A LITTLE.
Compare: A FEW.
Contrast: A LOT.
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