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bit

bit

∞ 1.0
A small piece or amount of something, for example food
  • noun
  • /bɪt/
: un poco
  • I only need a little bit of time to finish my homework.
  • a little bit
  • a bit more
  • just a bit

I want to expand a little bit in many ways.

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Examples

  • So that seems to be a bit of a problem.

  • Eighteen participants expressed eating "a little bit healthier" as a result of material learned in the course.

    Academic text (2012)
  • So let me say a little bit about why.

  • So we have to think a little bit about theory.

  • Mind you, she takes a bit of keeping up with.

  • But it may be helpful to understand a bit more about the nature of stress.

    Academic text (2008)
  • Patients are generally pleased if there is a bit of social chat in a consultation.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Minnie, what I usually find is that a little bit of practice really helps.

    Academic text (2012)
  • What we've learned, though, is that a little bit of letting go can make a big difference.

    Academic text (2013)
  • However, for the regular classroom, blue may be a bit too calming for most students.

    Academic text (2008)

Synonyms

minute
vsbit
∞ 1.0

A unit of time equal to sixty seconds

is the general small amount notion not limited to time units
moment
vsbit
∞ 1.0

A very short time or a particular point in time

is the general small part concept applying beyond moments
piece
vsbit
∞ 1.0

A part broken or cut from something larger, like a bit of fruit

is broader, covering any small amount not only separated pieces
little bit
vsbit
∞ 1.0

A small amount of something

is the broad small part or amount term for many contexts
second
vsbit
  • Informal
543 1.0

A very short time

is broader, covering small amounts of things not only time
particle
vsbit
  • Specialized
447 4.2

A very small piece or amount of something

applies generally to small parts not focused on scientific scale
bite
vsbit
302 1.0

A small amount of food eaten quickly

is the broad small part term not tied to eating
scrap
vsbit
179 2.1

A small piece left over or thrown away

is the general small part term not implying discard
chip
vsbit
130 2.1

A small piece broken off an object, often leaving a mark

is more general and does not imply breaking off
flake
vsbit
126 2.3

A small thin flat piece that breaks off from something larger like snow or paint

is broader and includes small amounts that are not flat flakes
nugget
vsbit
106 3.0

A small piece of gold or cooked food like chicken

is broader and includes loose small amounts as well
spot
vsbit
  • UK
41 2.4

A small amount of a drink, for example a little cup of tea

is wider in use, including non culinary small amounts
snippet
vsbit
36 4.8

A small piece of text or information that comes from something larger

is the general small part concept not limited to extracts
mo
vsbit
  • UK
35 9.9

A very short time, like a moment, used in informal speech

is broader, meaning a small part or amount in many contexts
morsel
vsbit
28 3.2

A small piece of food that you eat in one bite

covers small amounts of any kind not only food pieces
a bite of
vsbit
25 1.0

A small piece of food taken from a larger serving

is more general and applies beyond food portions
fleck
vsbit
24 4.3

A very small spot that stands out on a surface

is the general small part term not focused on marks
smidge
vsbit
  • Informal
14 7.9

A very small amount of something

is the general small part term not limited to tiny slang usage
snatch
vsbit
6 5.4

A short piece of sound or music that you hear briefly

is broader, covering short amounts beyond auditory fragments
tidbit
vsbit
  • US
5 3.6

A small tasty piece of food to eat

is the general small part term not emphasising taste
little
vsbit
1 1.0

A very small amount or short time

is the general small part or amount across foods times and objects
a nibble of
vsbit
2.5

A small bite of food

is the broad small amount term not limited to eating

Idioms

∞ 1.0

To a small degree or amount

quite a bit
  • Informal
235 2.8

A fairly large amount

71 3.4

Shows that something is at the same level as something else

51 3.7

There is not even a small amount

45 2.0

All of something, including very small parts

39 2.4

A little similar to something you know

bit by bit
  • Informal
12 2.7

A little at a time

3 7.9

Very eager and unable to wait to start something

a bit sketchy
  • Informal
1 8.6

A little suspicious and not easy to trust

bit of a weirdo
  • Offensive
1 8.6

A person who acts a little strange or different

1 9.5

An uncertain situation whose result depends on chance

1 6.8

To try too hard to make others agree or do something

Small things you do or give are important because they add up

9.9

A horse that holds its head back and ignores the rider's hands

Happens slowly, a little at a time

8.5

A little strange in a kind, harmless way

a bit hacky
  • Informal
9.1

A slightly unprofessional quick solution made to work for now

a bit hokey
  • Informal
8.4

A little silly and too sentimental, feeling fake

a bit loony
  • Offensive
8.9

A little strange and silly

9.9

People call someone a little feminine to show disapproval

9.9

Slightly too focused on numbers and data, making it hard to follow

Slightly more expensive than it should be for what you get

a bit scorpy
  • Informal
9.9

Being a little angry and easily annoyed with people

a bit salty
  • Slang
8.8

Slightly rude or sarcastic in what someone says

9.2

Often changes mood or behavior quickly and without warning

a bit sus
  • Slang
9.9

Slightly suspicious and not completely trustworthy

9.9

A little strange in a harmless, friendly way

A small, disappointing thing that does not help enough

To be a little sad and tired

9.9

Being confused and worried about what to do

not a bit of it
  • Informal
8.1

Not true at all

A joking idea that deleted digital files are gone forever

A person who is very calm and not easily upset, even in a dangerous situation

Compounds

∞ 1.0

A small amount of something

drill bit
  • Specialized
11 3.7

A metal tool that makes holes in hard materials like rock or wood when attached to a drill

5 4.1

A small acting role with few lines in a film or TV show

4 6.5

A person who has a small role in a film or play

bit rate
  • Specialized
1 4.1

The number of bits sent or processed each second in audio and video files

1 4.6

Slightly unclear and hard to see or remember

two-bit crook
  • Offensive
1 7.9

A person who steals or tricks people in small, unimportant ways

bit bucket
  • Jargon
8.9

An imaginary place where lost or deleted computer data goes

9.9

Slightly odd in a way that mixes different styles or ideas

bit cissy
  • Slur
9.9

A little too gentle in style or behavior, often used to tease someone

bit field
  • Specialized
6.2

A place in computer memory that holds several on and off values for settings

bit of a thembo
  • Offensive
9.9

An attractive man who is not very smart

blade bit
  • Specialized
7.5

A drill part with hard cutting edges that makes holes in wood or metal

bore bit
  • Specialized
8.1

A tool for a drill that cuts into rock or other hard material

brace and bit
  • Archaic
8.4

A hand tool that you turn to make holes in wood with a drill bit

center bit
  • Specialized
7.5

A small tool with a sharp point that guides a drill to make straight holes in wood

chamfer bit
  • Specialized
9.3

A small tool part for a drill or router that makes a sloped edge on materials

check bit
  • Specialized
6.9

An extra binary digit added to data to find errors in transmission or storage

countersink bit
  • Specialized
8.6

A drill bit that makes the top of a hole wider so a screw head sits flat with the surface

core bit
  • Specialized
7.8

A hollow cutting cylinder used in a drill to remove a sample of rock or concrete

cross bit
  • Specialized
8.9

A drill tool with cutting edges in the shape of a cross for drilling hard rock

curb bit
  • Specialized
9.0

A metal piece in a horse's mouth with a chin chain to help control the horse

drilling bit
  • Specialized
4.4

A tool fixed to a machine that cuts rock and earth to make a hole for oil

a bit ouchy
  • Informal
9.9

Hurts a little, for example after a small scrape

bar bit
  • Specialized
9.2

A solid metal bar that sits in a horse's mouth to help the rider control the horse

expansive bit
  • Specialized
9.2

A part for a drill that makes holes of different sizes

expansion bit
  • Specialized
8.6

A drill bit with an adjustable blade for making holes of different sizes

fishtail bit
  • Specialized
9.9

A cutting tool that attaches to a drill to make holes in rock or soil

frog's-bit family
  • Specialized
9.9

A family of small water plants with floating leaves in ponds and marshes

9.5

A small water plant with round floating leaves and white flowers that lives in calm water

9.5

A short part of a film, book, or joke that is slightly rude

rock bit
  • Specialized
7.3

A drill part with hard rollers that cut through rock

roller bit
  • Specialized
8.4

A drill part with hard turning wheels that cut through rock

parity bit
  • Specialized
6.2

A small extra binary digit added so the total number of 1s is even or odd to find errors

pilot bit
  • Specialized
7.0

A small drill tool that makes a first hole to guide a larger drill

snaffle bit
  • Specialized
8.3

A metal piece put in a horse's mouth to help a rider control it

spade bit
  • Specialized
7.3

A flat drill bit with a pointed center and two sharp sides for making large holes in wood

twist bit
  • Specialized
5.5

A drill part with spiral grooves that cuts holes in wood or metal

How Much

lot
∞ 1.0
chunk
265 2.4
portion
449 2.1
piece
∞ 1.0
bit
∞ 1.0
speck
66 1.3

Surface Forms

bit singular
bits plural

Etymology

Bit comes from an old English word meaning 'a small piece' and is related to bite, like taking off a tiny piece with your teeth. So, a bit means a small piece or amount of something.