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Glite Dictionary
a bit

a bit

∞ 1.0
To a small degree or amount
  • idiom
translation icon : un poco
  • I just thought it was all a bit of fun.
  • a bit more
  • seem a bit
  • feel a bit

And I said it's a bit late now isn't it?

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Examples

  • And that will feel a bit weird for a while.

    Anything Goes With James English

  • This cake is a bit too sweet for my taste.

  • And he does something a bit like this.

  • White, that seems a bit not OK to me.

  • Oh God, OK, that went a bit too far.

    Amelia Dimoldenberg

  • Instead, his position is a bit more complex.

    Gregory B. Sadler - That Philosophy Guy

  • You did go on a bit, I thought.

    Sleuth (1972)

  • OK, It's going to be a bit rushed, right?

  • Patients are generally pleased if there is a bit of social chat in a consultation.

    Academic text (2011)

  • I think we may well find it will make a bit of difference on the labeling issue.

    Academic text (1999)

Synonyms

kind of
vsa bit
  • Informal
∞ 1.6

To a small or medium degree

states a clear small degree rather than an unsure one
a little
vsa bit
∞ 1.0

A small amount, not very much

is similarly small but slightly more informal and brief
sort of
vsa bit
  • Informal
∞ 2.1

To some degree but not completely

is more definite about being only slightly or somewhat
little bit
vsa bit
∞ 1.0

A small amount of something

focuses on small extent rather than physical quantity alone
rather
vsa bit
∞ 1.0

A little more than a bit but not very much

means only a small degree instead of that larger extent
fairly
vsa bit
895 1.0

To some degree but not very much

indicates a smaller degree rather than a moderate one
slightly
vsa bit
885 1.0

A little, not very much

is the colloquial way to indicate that same small degree
somewhat
vsa bit
816 2.0

To a small degree

leans more toward the very small end of that scale
tad
vsa bit
  • Informal
102 5.5

A small amount

is similar but fits both formal and informal use
mildly
vsa bit
92 2.7

To a small, gentle degree

is more neutral and not focused on gentleness
moderately
vsa bit
47 2.8

To some degree but not very much

refers to a smaller, slight degree instead of moderate
faintly
vsa bit
47 2.7

In a way that is only slightly noticeable

is broader, applying to small degrees beyond perception cases
marginally
vsa bit
35 4.1

By a small amount

allows a touch more noticeable degree than that
a trifle
vsa bit
16 4.1

A little in amount or degree

is the neutral modern way to show a small degree
sorta kinda
vsa bit
  • Slang
1 9.3

Shows that you are a little unsure or not fully certain

is the standard neutral form indicating a small degree

Antonyms

greatly
350 1.0

By a very large amount

not at all
331 1.0

In no way

How Much

extremely
∞ 1.0
quite
∞ 1.0
fairly
895 1.0
somewhat
816 2.0
a bit
∞ 1.0
hardly
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

a bit positive

Morphology

a + bit

The meaning 'to a small extent' is directly derivable from the constituents: 'bit' means a small amount and the indefinite 'a' turns it into an approximating quantity. This composition follows a common quantifier+noun pattern (used cross-linguistically) and is therefore immediately comprehensible to a B1 learner who knows the words.

Etymology

A bit comes from the old meaning of bit as a 'small piece'. Imagine breaking off a tiny piece of bread, and this image explains why a bit now means 'a little' or 'slightly'.