bit
12 synonyms and 1 antonym for bit, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A small piece or amount of something.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use bit
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a bit of
quite a bit
bit by bit
Etymology
This word came from Middle English bitte, bite, from Old English bita ("bit; fragment; morsel") and bite ("a bite; cut"), from Proto-Germanic *bitô and *bitiz, both from Proto-Indo-European *bʰeyd- ("to split"); see more at bite. It is cognate with West Frisian bit, Saterland Frisian Bit, Dutch bit, German Low German B...
Full origin of bit →Frequently asked questions
What does “bit” mean?
The word “bit” means a small piece or amount of something. In plain terms, a small amount of something, or (in computing) the smallest unit of data.
How do you pronounce “bit”?
“Bit” is pronounced BIHT (/ˈbɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “bit” in a sentence?
Here is “bit” used in a sentence: “Could I have a bit of that cake?”
What part of speech is “bit”?
Depending on how it is used, “bit” can be a noun and a verb.
Is “bit” a common word?
“Bit” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “bit” have?
“Bit” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small piece or amount of something.
What is the difference between a bit and a piece?
Both refer to part of something, but 'bit' usually stresses that the amount is small, while 'piece' is neutral about size. You might take a piece of cake but only a bit of cake if it is a tiny amount. 'Bit' also sounds more casual and is common in everyday speech.
Does 'a bit' mean the same as 'a little'?
Yes, they are very close. Both mean a small quantity or degree, as in 'a bit tired' or 'a little tired.' 'A bit' tends to feel more informal and conversational, while 'a little' can sound slightly more neutral. In most sentences you can swap one for the other.
Is 'bit' a formal or informal word?
In the sense of a small piece or amount, 'bit' is fairly informal and belongs mostly to everyday, conversational English. In formal writing you might prefer 'a small amount,' 'a portion,' or 'a fragment.' It is not slang, though, and is perfectly acceptable in most casual and semi-formal contexts.
What is an example of 'bit' in a sentence?
You could say 'Have a bit of bread,' meaning a small piece, or 'I'll rest for a bit,' meaning a short while. It also appears in phrases like 'a bit of luck' and 'quite a bit,' which means a fairly large amount despite the small-sounding word.
