noun
Uncommon
whit
wiht
Whit (noun) means the smallest possible amount; a tiny bit. Example: “He didn't care a whit about what people thought of him.”
noun
1
The smallest possible amount; a tiny bit.
"He didn't care a whit about what people thought of him."
How to use whit
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA very tiny amount — used mainly in the negative, as in "not a whit".
Common mistake
Almost always used in negative phrases like "not a whit" or "not one whit"; rarely stands alone in positive statements.
Common pairings
not a whit
not one whit
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Word forms
- Plural
- whits
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He didn't care a _____ about what people thought of him.
Etymology
From Old English wiht, "a thing" or "a creature" — the same root that also produced the word "wight"; over time it narrowed to mean the smallest conceivable amount of something.
Related words
Rhymes for whit
See all rhymes for whit →Frequently asked questions
What does “whit” mean?
The word “whit” means the smallest possible amount; a tiny bit. In plain terms, a very tiny amount — used mainly in the negative, as in "not a whit".
How do you pronounce “whit”?
“Whit” is pronounced wiht (/wɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “whit” in a sentence?
Here is “whit” used in a sentence: “He didn't care a whit about what people thought of him.”
What part of speech is “whit”?
“Whit” is a noun.
Where does the word “whit” come from?
The word “whit” comes from Old English. From Old English wiht, "a thing" or "a creature" — the same root that also produced the word "wight"; over time it narrowed to mean the smallest conceivable amount of something.
Is “whit” a common word?
“Whit” is an uncommon word in modern English.
