lil
adj.adj. a short way of saying 'little'. You use it before a name or a noun to show that something is small or to sound friendly.
adj. a shortened, informal variant of 'little'. Often used as a prefix in names or as a colloquial modifier to indicate smallness or endearment.
He is just a lil guy.
The artist chose the stage name Lil Blue to reflect his humble beginnings in the local music scene.
Shortening of Lilian or Lillian.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Typically placed immediately before a noun or name; informal and colloquial in register.
He is very lil.He is very little.This shortened form is rarely used as a predicative adjective after 'to be' or with degree modifiers like 'very'; it usually sits directly before the noun.
Last updated May 2, 2026