littler
littler — noun
1. a smaller amount or quantity of something than another thing that you are compar
a smaller amount or quantity of something than another thing that you are comparing it with — for example, having a littler portion of food than someone else, or a littler budget than another department.
Between the two plates of dumplings, Tanvi chose the littler so she could save room for dessert.
the littler — noun phrase standing alone
The littler of the two donations still helped the animal shelter buy food for a week.
the littler of [two things] — comparative noun phrase
Rachid compared the two pieces of fabric and picked the littler for his sewing project.
The charity received littler this year than last year, so the manager had to cut back on programs.
littler + than — comparative quantity without 'the'
- littler of
- the littler
- littler than
- less
the standard comparative form; 'less' is preferred in most contexts over 'littler'
- a smaller amount
a clearer, more natural phrasing in both speech and writing
- more
a larger amount or quantity
Grammar Patterns
the littler of [two things]
littler + noun + than
Usage Note
For uncountable nouns, 'less' is more common than 'littler' in modern English. 'Littler' as a noun is rare in formal writing and appears most often in informal speech.
Common Mistakes
2. a shorter period of time or a shorter distance, compared to another time period
a shorter period of time or a shorter distance, compared to another time period or distance that is longer.
Of the two hiking trails, Kenji chose the littler because the sun was about to set.
the littler — referring to a shorter distance
The littler of the two waiting times at the clinic was still over an hour.
the littler of [two time periods]
Lucía took the littler route around the lake every morning before breakfast.
Between the two breaks that the staff were given, the littler was only fifteen minutes long.
- the littler
- littler of
- littler route
- littler walk
- longer
greater in length of time or distance
Grammar Patterns
the littler of [two distances/time periods]
littler + noun + than
Usage Note
In this sense, 'shorter' or 'less' is far more common than 'littler' in standard English. 'Littler' for time or distance is very informal and rare.
Common Mistakes
3. a younger child, especially the smaller or youngest one in a family or group, co
a younger child, especially the smaller or youngest one in a family or group, compared to an older sibling or peer.
The littler of the two children held her mother's hand tightly in the crowd.
the littler of [two children] — youngest/younger child
Isabela watched the littler ones playing in the sandbox while their older siblings were at school.
In the family photo from the reunion, the littler boy sat on his grandfather's lap.
Sirin read a bedtime story to the littler of her two younger cousins who could not sleep.
- the littler
- littler one
- littler of the two
- younger child
the standard comparative term for age
- smaller child
focuses on physical size rather than age
- little one
affectionate term for a young child
- older child
a child who is greater in age
Grammar Patterns
the littler of [two children]
the littler one
Usage Note
This sense is mainly British and informal. 'Younger' or 'smaller' is preferred in most varieties of English. 'Littler' as a noun for a child is very rare even in British English and may sound old-fashioned.
Common Mistakes
littler — adjective
- littlerpositive
- more littlercomparative
- most littlersuperlative
1. comparative of 'little' — smaller in physical size, dimensions, or amount when c
comparative of 'little' — smaller in physical size, dimensions, or amount when compared to someone or something else.
The red suitcase was too heavy, so Eshe chose the littler one with wheels.
littler + noun: choosing between two items
Ravi's puppy was already big, but his sister's dog was even littler than a cat.
littler + than: comparison structure
We moved from a three-bedroom house into a littler apartment closer to the train station.
Of the two portions on the plate, the littler one belongs to the child.
littler: comparative of amount/portion size
Hao picked the littler shirt because the larger one did not fit in his bag.
- littler than
- littler one
- a littler version
- much littler
- slightly littler
Grammar Patterns
littler + noun
be littler than
Usage Note
Often replaced by 'smaller' in formal writing. 'Littler' is common in everyday speech, especially when comparing two physical objects or portions.
Common Mistakes
2. comparative of 'little' — relating to a smaller amount or serving of something,
comparative of 'little' — relating to a smaller amount or serving of something, especially food or drink that can be shared.
Sirin asked for a littler scoop of ice cream because she was already full.
littler + food portion noun
Could I have a littler piece of cake than what you gave Liam?
littler + than: comparing serving sizes
The waiter brought a littler cup of coffee for the child at the table.
Renata poured herself a littler glass of juice after spilling the first one.
littler: smaller serving/portion
At the party, the littler bowls were for snacks and the big bowls were for salad.
- littler piece
- littler cup
- littler bowl
- littler scoop
- littler amount
Grammar Patterns
littler + uncountable noun
a littler amount/number of
Usage Note
Informal. 'Less' or 'a smaller amount of' is preferred in formal contexts. This sense is primarily used with food, drink, or other divisible quantities.
Common Mistakes
3. comparative of 'little' — of smaller monetary worth or lower sentimental value w
comparative of 'little' — of smaller monetary worth or lower sentimental value when compared to another object; used especially of gifts, presents, or tokens.
For the gift exchange, Stephanie received a littler present than what she had brought.
littler present: lower-value gift
The littler souvenirs cost only a few dollars, but the children loved them just the same.
Mira picked a littler token of appreciation from the charity shop for her host family.
littler token: small-value gift
The cousins exchanged littler gifts before the main ceremony began.
- littler gift
- littler present
- littler token
- littler souvenir
- cheaper
focuses on cost rather than general value
- less valuable
more formal and precise; used in most writing
- more expensive
higher monetary value
- more valuable
greater worth in general
Grammar Patterns
a littler + noun (gift/present/token)
Usage Note
Primarily used in informal contexts when comparing the monetary or sentimental value of gifts or tokens. For formal writing, 'of lesser value' or 'less expensive' is preferred.
Common Mistakes
4. comparative of 'little' — younger in age, especially when referring to siblings,
comparative of 'little' — younger in age, especially when referring to siblings, children, or family members.
Eli has two older sisters and one littler brother who just started school.
littler brother: younger sibling
My littler cousin Takeshi is seven years old and loves riding his bicycle.
littler cousin: younger relative
When we were kids, our littler neighbour always wanted to play ball with us.
The littler children sat at the front of the classroom so they could see the board.
littler children: younger age group
Shanti hugged her littler sister before getting on the school bus.
- littler brother
- littler sister
- littler cousin
- littler child
- littler one
Grammar Patterns
littler + family member noun
be littler than
Usage Note
Very common in everyday family talk. 'Younger' is the standard alternative in more formal contexts. 'Little brother/sister' is the base form; 'littler brother/sister' makes the age comparison explicit.
Common Mistakes
5. comparative of 'little' — less serious, less significant, or less important in n
comparative of 'little' — less serious, less significant, or less important in nature when compared to another problem, concern, expense, or situation, such as a minor issue versus a major crisis, or a small budget item versus a large one.
Compared to the leak in the roof, the broken window was a littler problem to fix.
a littler problem: less significant issue
Cyrus worried about the big presentation, but his teammate said it was a littler concern than the client meeting.
When you look at the whole budget, the office supplies are a littler expense than salaries.
a littler expense: smaller financial item
The first complaint was serious, but the second one was a littler matter that we solved quickly.
a littler matter: less serious issue (contrastive)
Between a flat tyre and an empty petrol tank, the tyre was the littler problem to deal with.
the littler problem: comparative choice between two
- a littler matter
- a littler problem
- a littler concern
- a littler detail
- a littler issue
- a littler expense
- a littler worry
- less important
more formal and widely used
- more minor
standard comparative for 'minor'; works in formal contexts
- less serious
focuses on gravity rather than importance
- smaller
general-purpose comparative usable for importance and seriousness
- more serious
greater in gravity or significance
- bigger
informal opposite when referring to problems
- more important
greater in significance
Grammar Patterns
a littler + noun
littler + noun + than
Usage Note
This merged sense replaces the previous MORE MINOR and LESS SERIOUS entries — they overlapped so closely that keeping them separate was confusing for learners. It covers both minor issues (small problems, details) and less serious situations (inconveniences, worries). For formal writing, 'less significant', 'less serious', or 'a smaller issue' is preferred.
Common Mistakes
littler — adverb
1. used to describe something that happens or is true to an even smaller degree tha
used to describe something that happens or is true to an even smaller degree than it was before or than something else is.
After the medicine took effect, Nadia's back hurt littler than it had all week.
comparative: littler than + [clause]
Liam cared littler about the rain once he bought a thick waterproof coat.
The second film was praised littler by critics than the director's first movie.
passive use: was praised littler by [agent]
Ignacio worried littler about public speaking after joining the drama club.
- littler than
- littler about
- even littler
- much littler
- less
the standard comparative adverb; 'less' is far more common than 'littler' in modern English
- not as much
less formal and used in everyday speech
- more
to a greater extent or degree
Grammar Patterns
littler + than + noun/clause
Common Mistakes
2. happening in stages that become smaller or less noticeable over time; more gradu
happening in stages that become smaller or less noticeable over time; more gradually.
The river flowed littler the further it travelled from the mountain snow.
littler + the further / the more [clause]
Tamar saved money littler each month as her rent and bills kept rising.
The crowd cheered littler and littler as the losing team fell further behind.
repeated pattern: littler and littler
Each winter, Old Mr Chen walked littler and needed more help from his family.
- littler and littler
- littler each day
- littler over time
- more slowly
emphasises pace rather than size of stages
- by smaller degrees
more formal; used in written English
- more quickly
at a faster pace or in larger stages
Grammar Patterns
littler and littler
grow / become / get + littler
Usage Note
This sense often appears in the repeated pattern 'littler and littler' to show a continuing decrease over time.
3. to a smaller amount or degree in comparison with another person, thing, or situa
to a smaller amount or degree in comparison with another person, thing, or situation.
Arjun ate littler at dinner after eating a large sandwich for lunch.
littler + after + [reason clause]
The children played littler outdoors once the weather turned cold and wet.
Kenji slept littler than usual during the week before his final exams began.
comparative: littler than [noun]
Sade spent littler on new clothes after deciding to save for a holiday abroad.
- littler than
- littler than usual
- littler than before
- less
standard comparative; far more common than 'littler' in modern English
- not so much
informal equivalent
- more
a larger amount or to a greater degree
Grammar Patterns
littler + than + noun/clause
Common Mistakes
4. no more or better than; used to emphasise that something is just barely at the l
no more or better than; used to emphasise that something is just barely at the level stated, and not beyond it.
The tiny room was littler more than a closet with a camping stove in the corner.
fixed expression: littler more than [noun]
Lotte earned littler than twenty dollars each day at her first summer job.
The speaker's response felt littler more than an excuse dressed up in polite words.
littler more than [noun phrase expressing disappointment]
Cole's help on the project was littler than the work done by the junior team members.
- littler more than
- littler than
Grammar Patterns
littler than + noun phrase (hyperbole)
littler more than
Usage Note
The fixed phrase 'littler more than' (or 'little more than') is used in both literal and figurative contexts to suggest that something barely deserves the label given to it.
littler — determiner
1. A smaller quantity of something than what is wanted, needed, or expected — used
A smaller quantity of something than what is wanted, needed, or expected — used when comparing one situation or period with another to show that the amount has gone down.
With littler time to prepare than last year, Wei had to cancel the company holiday party.
littler + time + than — comparing two periods
The Watanabe family had even littler money after the flood destroyed their rice fields.
There is littler sugar in this cookie recipe than in the old one, so the taste is less sweet.
littler + uncountable noun (sugar) + than
Students received littler homework this term than before, which made the children very happy.
The clinic received littler government funding this year, so the staff had to buy fewer supplies.
passive: received littler [uncountable noun]
- littler time
- littler money
- littler sugar
- littler homework
- littler funding
- littler + uncountable noun + than
- less
the standard comparative form; preferred in all registers
- more
a larger quantity of something
Grammar Patterns
littler + uncountable noun + than
Usage Note
The standard comparative form of 'little' (determiner) is 'less'. 'Littler' is occasionally heard in informal speech but should not be used in formal or academic writing.
Common Mistakes
2. A smaller quantity of something, used when comparing two amounts without a negat
A smaller quantity of something, used when comparing two amounts without a negative feeling — simply stating that the amount is smaller.
Keiko asked for a littler portion of rice because she had already eaten a big lunch.
littler + portion of [uncountable noun]
The café on Elm Street uses a littler amount of cream in its coffee than the shop next door.
Olu prefers a littler dose of medicine since the full amount makes him feel very sleepy.
littler + dose of [uncountable noun]
My grandmother adds a littler pinch of salt to her soup than what the cookbook recommends.
The teacher gave the younger group a littler set of spelling words to practise at home.
littler + set of [plural noun group]
- littler portion
- littler amount
- littler dose
- littler pinch
- littler set
- less
standard comparative; works in neutral and negative contexts alike
- a smaller amount of
more formal and explicit
- more
a larger quantity
- a larger amount of
more formal opposite
Grammar Patterns
littler + uncountable noun
Usage Note
Distinguish from sense 1 (LESS THAN NEEDED): this sense has a neutral or even positive feeling — the smaller amount is simply a choice or a natural comparison, not necessarily insufficient.
Common Mistakes
littler — pronoun
1. A smaller quantity or degree of something, used when comparing two situations, a
A smaller quantity or degree of something, used when comparing two situations, amounts, or times.
Haruto spent littler time on his homework this week than last week.
comparative: littler + noun + than
This year's festival attracted littler money from local businesses.
Rania noticed that her new apartment had littler traffic noise late at night.
There was littler food in the refugee camp this month than last month.
there is + littler + of + noun
The second version of the plan offered littler detail about the budget.
- even littler
- much littler
- littler of
- less
standard and far more common comparative form of 'little'
- more
a greater quantity or amount
Grammar Patterns
littler + of + noun phrase
there is/are + littler + of
Usage Note
This sense compares two measurable quantities or degrees; the thing being compared is not directly named after 'littler' but is understood from context. More commonly replaced by 'less' in standard English.
Common Mistakes
2. A quantity that is even more insufficient or lacking compared to a previous situ
A quantity that is even more insufficient or lacking compared to a previous situation or expectation.
After the second flood, there was even littler hope of rebuilding the village.
even + littler for emphasis of insufficiency
With fewer nurses on duty, the hospital had littler help to offer patients at night.
As the drought continued, the farmers had littler water than the year before.
littler + noun + than for explicit comparison
The team had littler reason to celebrate after losing the final match.
There was littler time to prepare than Amira had hoped before the exam.
- even littler
- much littler
- littler hope
- littler reason
- littler choice
- less
standard comparative; 'less than needed' conveys a similar insufficiency
- not enough
more direct expression of inadequacy
Grammar Patterns
there is/are + littler + to + infinitive
littler + noun phrase + than
Usage Note
Often preceded by 'even' or 'much' to emphasize the insufficiency. This sense strongly implies a shortfall compared to what is needed or expected.
Common Mistakes
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: adjective/4
"Littler", "younger", "smaller", and "junior" all overlap when comparing age, but differ in register and scope. "Younger" is the standard, neutral comparative for age in both speech and writing — it fits any context, from family talk to official documents ("the younger applicant got the job"). "Smaller" can informally refer to age when talking about children ("my smaller brother"), but it primarily denotes physical size and can cause ambiguity. "Junior" is more formal and often implies rank or position within an organisation rather than simple age ("the junior partner", "junior varsity"). "Littler" sits at the informal end: it is common in everyday family conversation ("her littler sister") but rarely appears in formal or academic writing. A speaker might say "my littler one" at home but switch to "my younger child" in a school enrolment form. For simple, unambiguous age comparisons in any register, "younger" is the safest choice.
Common collocations
Etymology
"Littler" is the comparative form of "little", which traces back to Old English lȳtel, meaning "small in size or amount". The Old English word comes from Proto-West Germanic *lūtila, from Proto-Germanic *lūtilaz. By the Middle English period (1100–1500), the form had become "litel" or "little", and the regular comparative "littler" emerged in everyday speech. Although "smaller" and "less" have become more common as standard comparatives in Modern English, "littler" survives in informal and regional usage, especially when comparing size, age, or quantity.
First known use
12th century
12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Adverb