noun Uncommon

tad

Tad (noun) means a small amount; a little bit. Example: “Could you turn the volume down just a tad?”

noun

A small amount; a little bit.

"Could you turn the volume down just a tad?"

"The soup needs a tad more salt."

How to use tad

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA little bit — a small quantity or degree of something.

Common pairings

a tad too much a tad early just a tad

Word forms

tads plural

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Fill the gap

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Could you turn the volume down just a _____?

Etymology

A shortening of "tadpole," first used around 1877 to mean a small child, later extended to mean a small amount.

· First attested 1877

Class of 1877 tad joined the language around 1877.

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Frequently asked questions

What does “tad” mean?

The word “tad” means a small amount; a little bit. In plain terms, a little bit — a small quantity or degree of something.

How do you pronounce “tad”?

“Tad” is pronounced tad (/tæd/ in IPA).

How do you use “tad” in a sentence?

Here is “tad” used in a sentence: “Could you turn the volume down just a tad?”

What part of speech is “tad”?

“Tad” is a noun.

Where does the word “tad” come from?

The word “tad” dates back to around 1877. A shortening of "tadpole," first used around 1877 to mean a small child, later extended to mean a small amount.

Is “tad” a common word?

“Tad” is an uncommon word in modern English.