a littleとは

意味・読み方・使い方

副詞

a little (not comparable)

1. To a small extent or degree.

   The door was opened a little.

   • 1879, R[ichard] J[efferies], chapter II, in The Amateur Poacher, London: Smith, Elder, & Co., […], OCLC 752825175:

     Orion hit a rabbit once; but though sore wounded it got to the bury, and, struggling in, the arrow caught the side of the hole and was drawn out. Indeed, a nail filed sharp is not of much avail as an arrowhead; you must have it barbed, and that was a little beyond our skill.

   • 2016, VOA Learning English (public domain)

     Hi, Amelia! Are you busy? — I’m a little busy.

   • 2018 "The Spear of Selene", Duck Tales

     Scrooge McDuck "A little salty."
     Zeus "Dip not good enough for you mortal? You offend Olympus!"

   Synonyms: a bit, a little bit

   Antonym: a lot

2. Slightly.

   She's a little strange, but nice enough.

3. (UK, meiosis) Very.

   It's a little big, don't you think?

4. (UK, meiosis) A lot.
5. (UK, meiosis) A lot of.

   It could do with a little work, that's for sure.