Word
tad
US/ˈtæd/
UK/tˈæd/
Definitions
01a small amount
n. a small amount or a little bit of something.
n. a small amount or degree; often functions adverbially to soften a statement.
“The soup is a tad salty, but it still tastes good.”
“The initial projections were a tad optimistic, failing to account for the seasonal downturn in consumer spending.”
Informal
Usage
Usually appears in the phrase 'a tad' followed by an adjective.
02a young boy
n. a word for a young boy, often used in a friendly or old-fashioned way.
n. a small boy or child; often carries a sense of endearment or refers to a mischievous street youth.
“He has been a bright little tad since the day he was born.”
“The old man recalled being a young tad running through these very streets before the factories were built.”
Archaic · Informal
Teaching tip
This sense is mostly found in older literature or specific regional dialects; modern speakers almost exclusively use 'tad' to mean 'a little bit'.
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/tad