Big vs. Little: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Big refers to a large size or extent, whereas Little denotes a small size or amount.
Key Differences
Big implies a considerable size or degree, often more than average or usual. It can relate to physical dimensions, quantities, or abstract concepts. In contrast, Little indicates a small amount, size, or degree. It suggests something is lesser in magnitude or significance compared to others.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 12, 2023
In the context of physical objects, Big refers to something of large dimensions. This could be in terms of height, width, or volume. Little, on the other hand, refers to objects that are notably small or compact in size, taking up less space or having a diminutive form.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 12, 2023
In terms of quantity, Big is used to describe a large number of items or a substantial amount of something. It signifies abundance or a significant portion. Conversely, Little is used when referring to a small number of items or a minor quantity, often highlighting scarcity or minimalism.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 12, 2023
When discussing importance or impact, Big often implies significant influence or importance. It denotes something of major relevance or considerable consequence. Little, in contrast, suggests minimal impact or importance, often indicating something is of lesser consequence or relevance.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 12, 2023
In a metaphorical sense, Big can represent a large scope or broad perspective, encompassing a wide range of elements or considerations. Little, in this sense, might suggest a narrow focus, highlighting details or specifics, often in a more confined or limited context.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 12, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Size
Refers to larger dimensions or volume.
Indicates smaller dimensions or volume.
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Dec 12, 2023
Quantity
Implies a large number or amount.
Suggests a small number or amount.
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Dec 12, 2023
Impact or Importance
Connotes significant influence or importance.
Implies minimal influence or importance.
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Dec 12, 2023
Scope
Represents a broad or extensive range.
Denotes a narrow or limited range.
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Dec 12, 2023
Perspective
Used to describe a comprehensive or all-encompassing view.
Used for a focused or specific viewpoint.
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Dec 12, 2023
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Big and Little Definitions
Big
Considerable in Degree or Intensity
The game had a big impact on the players.
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Dec 05, 2023
Big
Significant in Importance or Influence
She played a big role in the project.
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Dec 05, 2023
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Little
Small in quantity or extent
A little money.
A little work on the side.
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Dec 05, 2023
Big
Older or eldest. Used especially of a sibling
My big brother is leaving for college next week.
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Dec 05, 2023
Little
Narrow; petty
Mean little comments.
A little mind consumed with trivia.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Little
Having scant power or influence; of minor status
Just a little clerk in the records office.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Little
Younger or youngest. Used especially of a sibling
My little brother is leaving for college next week.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Big
Having or exercising considerable authority, control, or influence
A big official.
A big chief.
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Dec 05, 2023
Big
Conspicuous in position, wealth, or importance; prominent
A big figure in the peace movement.
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Dec 05, 2023
Little
Not in the least; not at all
They little expected such a generous gift.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Big
(Informal) Widely liked, used, or practiced; popular
"The Minneapolis indie-rock band was big in the blogosphere, beloved by hipsters, and unknown to pretty much everyone else" (Robert Levine).
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Big
With considerable success
Made it big with their recent best-selling album.
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Dec 05, 2023
Big
In a thorough or unmistakable way; emphatically
Failed big at the box office.
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Dec 05, 2023
Little
Very young.
Did he tell you any embarrassing stories about when she was little?
That's the biggest little boy I've ever seen.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Big
Large with young; pregnant; swelling; ready to give birth or produce.
She was big with child.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Little
(often capitalized) Used with the name of a place, especially of a country or its capital, to denote a neighborhood whose residents or storekeepers are from that place.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Big
(informal) Well-endowed, possessing large breasts in the case of a woman or a large penis in the case of a man.
Whoa, Nadia has gotten pretty big since she hit puberty.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Little
(derogatory) To imply that the inhabitants of the place have an insular attitude and are hostile to those they perceive as foreign.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Big
(informal) Adult; (of a child) older.
Kids should get help from big people if they want to use the kitchen.
We were just playing, and then some big kids came and chased us away.
She did it all on her own like a big girl.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Big
Old, mature. Used to imply that somebody is too old for something, or acting immaturely.
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Dec 05, 2023
Little
Operating on a small scale.
Little Steel (smaller steel companies, as contrasted with Big Steel)
Little Science (science performed by individuals or small teams, as contrasted with Big Science)
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Dec 05, 2023
Big
.informal Mature, conscientious, principled; generous.
That's very big of you; thank you!
I tried to be the bigger person and just let it go, but I couldn't help myself.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Big
(informal) Important or significant.
What's so big about that? I do it all the time.
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Dec 05, 2023
Little
Small in extent of views or sympathies; narrow; shallow; contracted; mean; illiberal; ungenerous.
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Dec 05, 2023
Big
Popular.
That style is very big right now in Europe, especially among teenagers.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Little
Not much.
This is a little known fact.
She spoke little and listened less.
We slept very little last night.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Little
Not at all.
I was speaking ill of Fred; little did I know that he was right behind me, listening in.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Big
(informal) Used as an intensifier, especially of negative-valence nouns
You are a big liar.
Why are you in such a big hurry?
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Dec 05, 2023
Little
Not much, only a little: only a small amount (of).
There is (very) little water left.
We had very little to do.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Big
Operating on a large scale, especially if therefore having undue or sinister influence.
There were concerns about the ethics of big pharma.
Big money
Big Tech, Big Steel (large or influential tech or steel companies)
Big Science (science performed by large terms, of large scope, with government or corporate funding)
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Dec 05, 2023
Big
Enthusiastic (about).
I'm not big on the idea, but if you want to go ahead with it, I won't stop you.
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Dec 05, 2023
Little
A small amount.
Can I try a little of that sauce?
Little did he do to make me comfortable.
If you want some cake, there's a little in the refrigerator
Many littles make a mickle. (Scottish proverb)
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Dec 05, 2023
Big
In a large amount or to a large extent.
He won big betting on the croquet championship.
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Dec 05, 2023
Big
On a large scale, expansively.
You've got to think big to succeed at Amalgamated Plumbing.
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Dec 05, 2023
Little
(countable) One who has mentally age regressed to a childlike state.
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Dec 05, 2023
Little
Small in size or extent; not big; diminutive; - opposed to big or large; as, a little body; a little animal; a little piece of ground; a little hill; a little distance; a little child.
He sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.
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Dec 05, 2023
Little
Short in duration; brief; as, a little sleep.
Best him enough: after a little time,I'll beat him too.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Little
Small in quantity or amount; not much; as, a little food; a little air or water.
Conceited of their little wisdoms, and doting upon their own fancies.
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Dec 05, 2023
Big
(university slang) A initiated member of a sorority who acts as a mentor to a new member (the little).
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Little
Small in dignity, power, or importance; not great; insignificant; contemptible.
When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes?
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Little
Small in force or efficiency; not strong; weak; slight; inconsiderable; as, little attention or exertion;little effort; little care or diligence.
By sad experiment I knowHow little weight my words with thee can find.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Little
Small in extent of views or sympathies; narrow; shallow; contracted; mean; illiberal; ungenerous.
The long-necked geese of the world that are ever hissing dispraise,Because their natures are little.
The men, and the women, and the little ones.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Little
That which is little; a small quantity, amount, space, or the like.
Much was in little writ.
There are many expressions, which carrying with them no clear ideas, are like to remove but little of my ignorance.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Little
A small degree or scale; miniature.
A little, to or in a small degree; to a limited extent; somewhat; for a short time. " Stay a little."
The painter flattered her a little.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Little
In a small quantity or degree; not much; slightly; somewhat; - often with a preceding it.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Big
Having largeness of size; of much bulk or magnitude; of great size; large.
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Dec 05, 2023
Little
Limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent;
A little dining room
A little house
A small car
A little (or small) group
A small voice
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Big
Great with young; pregnant; swelling; ready to give birth or produce; - often figuratively.
[Day] big with the fate of Cato and of Rome.
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Dec 05, 2023
Little
(quantifier used with mass nouns) small in quantity or degree; not much or almost none or (with `a') at least some;
Little rain fell in May
Gave it little thought
Little hope remained
Little time is left
We still have little money
A little hope remained
A little time is left
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Big
Having greatness, fullness, importance, inflation, distention, etc., whether in a good or a bad sense; as, a big heart; a big voice; big looks; to look big. As applied to looks, it indicates haughtiness or pride.
God hath not in heaven a bigger argument.
I talked big to them at first.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Little
Of short duration or distance;
A brief stay in the country
In a little while
It's a little way away
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Dec 05, 2023
Big
Barley, especially the hardy four-rowed kind.
"Bear interchanges in local use, now with barley, now with bigg."
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Dec 05, 2023
Little
(informal terms) small and of little importance;
A fiddling sum of money
A footling gesture
Our worries are lilliputian compared with those of countries that are at war
A little (or small) matter
Mickey Mouse regulations
A dispute over niggling details
Limited to petty enterprises
Piffling efforts
Giving a police officer a free meal may be against the law, but it seems to be a picayune infraction
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Big
Above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent;
A large city
Set out for the big city
A large sum
A big (or large) barn
A large family
Big businesses
A big expenditure
A large number of newspapers
A big group of scientists
Large areas of the world
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Big
Of very great significance;
Deciding to drop the atom bomb was a very big decision
A momentous event
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Dec 05, 2023
Little
Lowercase;
Little a
Small a
E.e.cummings's poetry is written all in minuscule letters
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Big
Conspicuous in position or importance;
A big figure in the movement
Big man on campus
He's very large in financial circles
A prominent citizen
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Little
Small in a way that arouses feelings (of tenderness or its opposite depending on the context);
A nice little job
Bless your little heart
My dear little mother
A sweet little deal
I'm tired of your petty little schemes
Filthy little tricks
What a nasty little situation
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Big
Very intense;
A bad headache
In a big rage
Had a big (or bad) shock
A bad earthquake
A bad storm
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Big
Feeling self-importance;
Too big for his britches
Had a swelled head
He was swelled with pride
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Big
Generous and understanding and tolerant;
A heart big enough to hold no grudges
That's very big of you to be so forgiving
A large and generous spirit
A large heart
Magnanimous toward his enemies
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Big
Given or giving freely;
Was a big tipper
The bounteous goodness of God
Bountiful compliments
A freehanded host
A handsome allowance
Saturday's child is loving and giving
A liberal backer of the arts
A munificent gift
Her fond and openhanded grandfather
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Big
In an advanced stage of pregnancy;
Was big with child
Was great with child
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Is Big always related to physical size?
No, Big can also denote importance, amount, or degree.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 12, 2023
Can Little mean insignificant?
Yes, Little can imply something is of minor importance or negligible.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 12, 2023
What does Big typically refer to?
Big usually refers to something of a large size or significant degree.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 12, 2023
Does Big imply superiority?
Not necessarily; it primarily indicates size or extent.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 12, 2023
Does Big always mean better?
No, Big doesn't inherently mean better; context is key.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 12, 2023
Can Big be intimidating?
In some contexts, Big can be seen as overwhelming or imposing.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 12, 2023
Can Little indicate a lesser degree?
Yes, it often signifies a smaller amount or lower intensity.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 12, 2023
Can Little be used in measurements?
Yes, it often indicates a small quantity or degree in measurements.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 12, 2023
Is Little the opposite of Big?
Generally, yes, in terms of size, amount, and importance.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 12, 2023
Can Little be used to describe age?
Yes, Little often describes young age, like in "little children."
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 12, 2023
Is Little ever used positively?
Yes, it can denote charm or endearment, as in "a little cottage."
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 12, 2023
Can Big be subjective?
Yes, what is considered Big can vary based on personal perspective.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 12, 2023
Does Little suggest closeness or intimacy?
Sometimes, as in "a little chat" implying a friendly, close conversation.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 12, 2023
Does Big always relate to physical objects?
No, it can also refer to abstract concepts like ideas or feelings.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 12, 2023
Is Big associated with adulthood?
Often, as in "big boy" or "big girl," denoting maturity or growth.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 12, 2023
Is Little always literal?
No, it can be metaphorical, indicating minimal impact or importance.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 12, 2023
Is Big a relative term?
Yes, it's often used relatively to compare sizes or extents.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 12, 2023
Can Big signify excess?
Yes, in contexts like "big spender" or "big eater."
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 12, 2023
Can Little be used to express affection?
Yes, it can convey affection, especially when referring to children.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 12, 2023
Does Little necessarily mean weak?
No, Little doesn't always imply weakness or lack of strength.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 12, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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