Little vs. Short: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 27, 2023
Little generally refers to a small amount or size, often in a broad sense, while short specifically describes limited length or duration, particularly in physical or temporal contexts.
Key Differences
Little is a versatile term used to indicate a small amount, size, or degree in various contexts. Short, on the other hand, specifically refers to a small length or duration and is often used to describe physical dimensions or time.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 27, 2023
Little can imply a lesser degree or quantity and is often used more subjectively. Short directly points to the physical attribute of length, and its use is more objective and measurable.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 27, 2023
In describing quantity, 'little' is more appropriate (e.g., little water), whereas 'short' is used for physical length or duration (e.g., short rope, short meeting).
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 27, 2023
Although sometimes used interchangeably in colloquial speech, 'little' and 'short' have distinct connotations. 'Little' emphasizes smallness in a broader sense, while 'short' is specific to length or duration.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 27, 2023
'Little' can have an endearing or diminutive connotation, whereas 'short' is often neutral, focusing on the factual aspect of length or duration.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 27, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Definition
Refers to small amount, size, or degree
Specifically indicates limited length or duration
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 27, 2023
Usage
Broad and versatile, used in various contexts
Specific to physical dimensions and time
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 27, 2023
Connotation
Subjective, can be endearing or diminutive
Objective, neutral, focused on factual measurement
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 27, 2023
Application
More suitable for quantities and degrees
Used for describing physical length or temporal duration
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 27, 2023
Emotional Implication
Can imply lesser importance or affection
Neutral, often devoid of emotional connotation
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 27, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Little and Short Definitions
Little
Little can describe something to a minor extent.
He showed little interest in the proposal.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 27, 2023
Little
It can mean small in physical size.
She bought a little dress for her daughter.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 27, 2023
Short
Short can describe someone of less than average height.
He is relatively short for his age.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 27, 2023
Little
Little also refers to a short amount of time.
We have a little time before the meeting starts.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 27, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Short
Short can also mean abrupt in manner.
His responses were short and to the point.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 27, 2023
Little
It indicates a lesser degree or intensity.
There's little difference between the two options.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 27, 2023
Little
Small in quantity or extent
A little money.
A little work on the side.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Little
Narrow; petty
Mean little comments.
A little mind consumed with trivia.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Little
Having scant power or influence; of minor status
Just a little clerk in the records office.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Little
Younger or youngest. Used especially of a sibling
My little brother is leaving for college next week.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Short
Inadequate; insufficient
Oil in short supply.
Were short on experience.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Little
Not in the least; not at all
They little expected such a generous gift.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Short
Holding a trading position that is inversely related to the price of a security or index
Short investors.
An investor who is short gold.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Short
(Linguistics) Of, relating to, or being a speech sound of relatively brief duration, as the first vowel sound in the Latin word mălus, "evil," as compared with the same or a similar sound of relatively long duration, as the first vowel sound in the Latin word mālus, "apple tree."
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 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
Oct 19, 2023
Short
(Grammar) Of, relating to, or being a vowel sound in English, such as the vowel sound (ă) in pat or () in put, that is descended from a vowel of brief duration.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Short
Being of relatively brief duration. Used of a syllable in quantitative prosody.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 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
Oct 19, 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
Oct 19, 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)
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Short
At a point before a given boundary, limit, or goal
A missile that landed short of the target.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Little
Small in extent of views or sympathies; narrow; shallow; contracted; mean; illiberal; ungenerous.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Little
Not much.
This is a little known fact.
She spoke little and listened less.
We slept very little last night.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 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
Oct 19, 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
Oct 19, 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)
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Short
Shorts A byproduct of wheat processing that consists of germ, bran, and coarse meal or flour.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Little
(countable) One who has mentally age regressed to a childlike state.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Short
Shorts Clippings or trimmings that remain as byproducts in various manufacturing processes, often used to make an inferior variety of the product.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Little
Short in duration; brief; as, a little sleep.
Best him enough: after a little time,I'll beat him too.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 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
Oct 19, 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
Oct 19, 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
Oct 19, 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
Oct 19, 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
Oct 19, 2023
Short
Having a small distance from one end or edge to another, either horizontally or vertically.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Little
In a small quantity or degree; not much; slightly; somewhat; - often with a preceding it.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Short
Having little duration.
Our meeting was a short six minutes today. Every day for the past month it’s been at least twenty minutes long.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 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
Oct 19, 2023
Short
(followed by for) Of a word or phrase, constituting an abbreviation (for another) or shortened form (of another).
"Phone" is short for "telephone" and "asap" short for "as soon as possible".
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 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
Oct 19, 2023
Little
Of short duration or distance;
A brief stay in the country
In a little while
It's a little way away
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 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
Oct 19, 2023
Short
(gambling) Of betting odds, offering a small return for the money wagered.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Short
Brittle, crumbly. See shortbread, shortcake, shortcrust, shortening, hot short, cold-short.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Short
Abrupt; brief; pointed; petulant.
He gave a short answer to the question.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Little
Lowercase;
Little a
Small a
E.e.cummings's poetry is written all in minuscule letters
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Short
Limited in quantity; inadequate; insufficient; scanty.
A short supply of provisions
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 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
Oct 19, 2023
Short
Insufficiently provided; inadequately supplied, especially with money; scantily furnished; lacking.
To be short of money
I'd lend you the cash but I'm a little short at present.
The cashier came up short ten dollars on his morning shift.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Short
Deficient; less; not coming up to a measure or standard.
An account which is short of the truth
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Little
Little refers to a small amount of something.
There's only a little milk left in the fridge.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 27, 2023
Short
(finance) Being in a financial investment position that is structured to be profitable if the price of the underlying security declines in the future.
Short position
I'm short in General Motors because I think their sales are plunging.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Short
Of money: given in the fewest possible notes, i.e. those of the largest denomination.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Short
Abruptly, curtly, briefly.
They had to stop short to avoid hitting the dog in the street.
He cut me short repeatedly in the meeting.
The boss got a message and cut the meeting short.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Short
Without achieving a goal or requirement.
His speech fell short of what was expected.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Short
Relatively far from the batsman and hence bouncing higher than normal; opposite of full.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Short
(finance) With a negative ownership position.
We went short most finance companies in July.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Short
A short version of a garment in a particular size.
38 short suits fit me right off the rack.
Do you have that size in a short?
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Short
(baseball) A shortstop.
Jones smashes a grounder between third and short.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Short
(finance) A short seller.
The market decline was terrible, but the shorts were buying champagne.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Short
(finance) A short sale or short position.
He closed out his short at a modest loss after three months.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Short
(programming) An integer variable having a smaller range than normal integers; usually two bytes long.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Short
An automobile; especially in crack shorts, to break into automobiles.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Short
To provide with a smaller than agreed or labeled amount.
This is the third time I’ve caught them shorting us.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Short
To sell something, especially securities, that one does not own at the moment for delivery at a later date in hopes of profiting from a decline in the price; to sell short.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Short
Deficient in.
We are short a few men on the second shift.
He's short common sense.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Short
(finance) Having a negative position in.
I don’t want to be short the market going into the weekend.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Short
Not long; having brief length or linear extension; as, a short distance; a short piece of timber; a short flight.
The bed is shorter than that a man can stretch himself on it.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Short
Not extended in time; having very limited duration; not protracted; as, short breath.
The life so short, the craft so long to learn.
To short absense I could yield.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Short
Limited in quantity; inadequate; insufficient; scanty; as, a short supply of provisions, or of water.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Short
Insufficiently provided; inadequately supplied; scantily furnished; lacking; not coming up to a resonable, or the ordinary, standard; - usually with of; as, to be short of money.
We shall be short in our provision.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Short
Deficient; defective; imperfect; not coming up, as to a measure or standard; as, an account which is short of the trith.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Short
Not distant in time; near at hand.
Marinell was sore offendedThat his departure thence should be so short.
He commanded those who were appointed to attend him to be ready by a short day.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Short
Limited in intellectual power or grasp; not comprehensive; narrow; not tenacious, as memory.
Their own short understandings reachNo farther than the present.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Short
Less important, efficaceous, or powerful; not equal or equivalent; less (than); - with of.
Hardly anything short of an invasion could rouse them again to war.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Short
Abrupt; brief; pointed; petulant; as, he gave a short answer to the question.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Short
Not prolonged, or relatively less prolonged, in utterance; - opposed to long, and applied to vowels or to syllables. In English, the long and short of the same letter are not, in most cases, the long and short of the same sound; thus, the i in ill is the short sound, not of i in isle, but of ee in eel, and the e in pet is the short sound of a in pate, etc. See Quantity, and Guide to Pronunciation, 22, 30.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Short
The part of milled grain sifted out which is next finer than the bran.
The first remove above bran is shorts.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Short
A short sound, syllable, or vowel.
If we compare the nearest conventional shorts and longs in English, as in "bit" and "beat," "not" and "naught," we find that the short vowels are generally wide, the long narrow, besides being generally diphthongic as well. Hence, originally short vowels can be lengthened and yet kept quite distinct from the original longs.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Short
In a short manner; briefly; limitedly; abruptly; quickly; as, to stop short in one's course; to turn short.
He was taken up very short, and adjudged corrigible for such presumptuous language.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Short
Accidental contact between two points in an electric circuit that have a potential difference
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Short
The fielding position of the player on a baseball team who is stationed between 2nd and 3rd base
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Short
Primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration;
A short life
A short flight
A short holiday
A short story
Only a few short months
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Short
Primarily spatial sense; having little length or lacking in length;
Short skirts
Short hair
The board was a foot short
A short toss
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Short
Low in stature; not tall;
His was short and stocky
Short in stature
A short smokestack
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Short
Not sufficient to meet a need;
An inadequate income
A poor salary
Money is short
On short rations
Food is in short supply
Short on experience
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Short
Not holding securities or commodities that one sells in expectation of a fall in prices;
A short sale
Short in cotton
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Short
Of speech sounds (especially vowels) of relatively short duration (as e.g. the English vowel sounds in `pat', `pet', `pit', `pot', putt')
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Short
Containing a large amount of shortening; therefore tender and easy to crumble or break into flakes;
Shortbread is a short crumbly cookie
A short flaky pie crust
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Short
Less than the correct or legal or full amount often deliberately so;
A light pound
A scant cup of sugar
Regularly gives short weight
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Short
Used of syllables that are unaccented or of relatively brief duration
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Short
Lacking foresight or scope;
A short view of the problem
Shortsighted policies
Shortsighted critics derided the plan
Myopic thinking
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Short
Marked by rude or peremptory shortness;
Try to cultivate a less brusque manner
A curt reply
The salesgirl was very short with him
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Short
Without possessing something at the time it is contractually sold;
He made his fortune by selling short just before the crash
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Short
At some point or distance before a goal is reached;
He fell short of our expectations
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Short
In a curt, abrupt and discourteous manner;
He told me curtly to get on with it
He talked short with everyone
He said shortly that he didn't like it
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Short
Short describes something with limited length.
She prefers short skirts.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 27, 2023
Short
It can imply an insufficient amount or extent.
The blanket was too short for the bed.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 27, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Is short always negative?
No, short is neutral and descriptive, focusing on the factual aspect of length or duration.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 27, 2023
Can little and short be used interchangeably?
While sometimes used interchangeably, they have distinct meanings; little refers to a small amount or size, while short refers to length or duration.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 27, 2023
Can little refer to quality?
Yes, it can indicate a lesser degree or quality, as in "little importance."
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 27, 2023
Does little imply insignificance?
Sometimes it might, but not always; it depends on the context.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 27, 2023
Is little only used for physical size?
No, little is versatile and can refer to quantity, degree, or size in various contexts.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 27, 2023
Does little have an emotional connotation?
Little can have an endearing or diminutive connotation depending on the context.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 27, 2023
Is short used in describing people’s height?
Yes, it's commonly used to describe someone of below-average height.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 27, 2023
Is short used for distances?
Yes, short can describe a limited physical distance, like a short walk.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 27, 2023
Does little have a comparative form?
Yes, the comparative form of little is 'less'.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 27, 2023
Can short describe a time period?
Yes, short can describe a brief or limited time period.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 27, 2023
Does short have a standard measurement?
No, short is relative and depends on the context.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 27, 2023
Can short be used in a non-physical sense?
Yes, it can describe temporal aspects, like a short meeting or a short delay.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 27, 2023
Can little be used to describe time?
Yes, it can refer to a short duration, though this is a less common usage.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 27, 2023
Can short be used to describe someone's temperament?
Yes, it can describe someone's manner as abrupt, as in "short-tempered."
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 27, 2023
Is short used in clothing descriptions?
Yes, it describes clothing items with limited length, like short sleeves.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 27, 2023
Can little and short both describe a duration?
Yes, but short is more commonly used for duration, while little is broader and can refer to quantity or degree as well.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 27, 2023
Can short be used in a literary context?
Yes, it's used to describe a short story or a short poem.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 27, 2023
Can little be used in a quantitative sense?
Yes, it often refers to a small quantity, like a little sugar.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 27, 2023
Is little used in a financial context?
Yes, it can describe a small amount of money, like "little income."
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 27, 2023
Share this page
Link for your blog / website
HTML
Link to share via messenger
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.
Hifza Nasir
Shumaila Saeed
