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bit

bit

1.0
A small piece or amount of something, for example food
  • noun
  • /bɪt/
translation icon : 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.