English Reference
noun

tit

n.
US /ˈtɪt/ UK /tˈɪt/ tit

  1. 01 B1 Intermediate Science

    a small, active bird that is common in gardens.

    any of various small passerine birds of the family Paridae, such as the blue tit or great tit.

    Simple

    We put some seeds out in the garden to attract the blue tits.

    In context

    The blue tit is a frequent visitor to garden feeders across Europe, easily identified by its vibrant yellow and blue plumage.

    chickadee
  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate British EnglishInformalSlang

    a person who behaves in a silly or annoying way.

    a derogatory epithet for a fool or an idiot, primarily used in British and Irish English.

    Simple

    Don't be such a tit; just apologize and move on.

    In context

    He felt like a complete tit after realizing he had been arguing against his own interests for the entire meeting.

  3. 03 B2 Upper Intermediate

    part of a phrase meaning you do something bad to someone because they did something bad to you.

    an equivalent given in return; specifically used in the fixed expression 'tit for tat' to describe retaliatory action.

    Simple

    The two countries are engaged in a tit-for-tat trade war.

    In context

    The negotiations devolved into a series of tit-for-tat accusations, preventing any meaningful progress on the actual treaty.

This entry
Level C2 · Proficiency
Frequency Frequent
Updated