# tad

/ˈtæd/ (US) · /tˈæd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/tad
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. a small amount

noun · CEFR B1 · Informal

a small amount or a little bit of something.

For teachers: 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.

Usage: Usually appears in the phrase 'a tad' followed by an adjective.

### 2. a young boy

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Informal

a word for a young boy, often used in a friendly or old-fashioned way.

For teachers: 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.

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'.

## Examples

- Add a tad of salt to the soup.
- She felt a tad nervous before her big presentation at work.
- The market showed a tad of volatility before settling into a steady upward trend for the rest of the week.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.