Big vs. Little — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 30, 2023
"Big" refers to a large size or significance, while "Little" indicates a small size or importance.
Difference Between Big and Little
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Big" often signifies something of great size, magnitude, or extent. In contrast, "Little" denotes something that is smaller in size, scope, or dimension.
In terms of importance or influence, "Big" can be used to describe something of considerable significance. On the other hand, "Little" may be used to portray something of less significance or minimal impact.
From a comparative perspective, "Big" typically stands out or is noticeable, suggesting prominence. Conversely, "Little" often blends in, suggesting subtlety or understatement.
"Big" can also indicate maturity or adulthood, often contrasting with "Little," which can represent youth or infancy.
In some contexts, "Big" conveys admiration or approval, whereas "Little" might express belittlement or minimalization.
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Comparison Chart
Size
Larger in physical dimension.
Smaller in physical dimension.
Significance
Greater in importance.
Lesser in importance.
Frequency in usage
Often used to emphasize prominence or noteworthiness.
More commonly denotes modesty or insignificance.
Contextual meaning
Can imply maturity, adulthood, or seniority.
Can suggest youth, infancy, or junior status.
Emotional connotation
Evokes feelings of vastness or grandeur.
Often associates with feelings of humility or diminutiveness.
Compare with Definitions
Big
Of large size or scale.
The elephant is a big animal.
Little
Insignificant or trivial.
It's just a little problem, don't worry.
Big
Grown-up or mature.
She's a big girl now.
Little
Young or younger.
When I was a little boy, I loved playing outside.
Big
Well-known or influential.
He's a big name in the industry.
Little
Small in size, amount, or degree (often used to convey an appealing diminutiveness or express an affectionate or condescending attitude)
A little puppy dog
A boring little man
The plants will grow into little bushes
Big
Expressing admiration or approval.
That's a big achievement for him.
Little
A small amount of
You only see a little of what he can do
We got a little help from a training scheme
Big
Of considerable size or extent
Big staff cuts
Big buildings
Her big hazel eyes
Little
Used to emphasize how small an amount is
The rouble is worth so little these days
He ate and drank very little
There was very little time to be lost
I have little doubt of their identity
Big
Of considerable importance or seriousness
It's a big decision
His biggest problem is money
He made a big mistake
Little
A small amount of
We got a little help from a training scheme
You only see a little of what he can do
Big
Generous
‘I'm inclined to take pity on you.’ ‘That's big of you!’
Little
Used to emphasize how small an amount is
I have little doubt of their identity
He ate and drank very little
The rouble is worth so little these days
There was very little time to be lost
Big
Praise or recommend something highly
The record's been on the streets a while now, but it's still worth bigging up
Little
To a small extent
I was always a little afraid of her
He reminded me a little of my parents
Big
The major league in a professional sport
The day he made it to the bigs, he forgot every minor league ballpark he ever played in
Little
Only to a small extent; not much or often (used for emphasis)
He was little known in this country
He had slept little these past weeks
Big
Of considerable size, number, quantity, magnitude, or extent; large.
Little
Small in size
A little dining room.
Big
Having great strength or force
A big wind.
In a big rage.
Little
Small in quantity or extent
A little money.
A little work on the side.
Big
Of great significance; momentous
A big decision.
A big victory.
Little
Short in extent or duration; brief
There is little time left.
Big
Mature or grown-up
Big enough to take the bus by herself.
Little
Unimportant; trivial
A little matter.
Big
Older or eldest. Used especially of a sibling
My big brother is leaving for college next week.
Little
Narrow; petty
Mean little comments.
A little mind consumed with trivia.
Big
Filled up; brimming over
Felt big with love.
Little
Having scant power or influence; of minor status
Just a little clerk in the records office.
Big
Bountiful; generous
Had a big heart.
Little
Being at an early stage of growth; young
A little child.
Big
Pregnant
Big with child.
Little
Younger or youngest. Used especially of a sibling
My little brother is leaving for college next week.
Big
Having or exercising considerable authority, control, or influence
A big official.
A big chief.
Little
Not much; scarcely
Works long hours, sleeping little.
Big
Conspicuous in position, wealth, or importance; prominent
A big figure in the peace movement.
Little
Not in the least; not at all
They little expected such a generous gift.
Big
Loud and firm; resounding
A big voice.
Little
A small quantity or amount
Give me a little.
Big
(Informal) Widely liked, used, or practiced; popular
"The Minneapolis indie-rock band was big in the blogosphere, beloved by hipsters, and unknown to pretty much everyone else" (Robert Levine).
Little
Something much less than all
I know little of their history.
Big
(Informal) Self-important; cocky
You're too big for your own good.
Little
A short distance or time
A little down the road.
Waited a little.
Big
In a pretentious or boastful way
Talked big about the new job.
Little
Small in size.
This is a little table.
Big
With considerable success
Made it big with their recent best-selling album.
Little
Insignificant, trivial.
It's of little importance.
Big
In a thorough or unmistakable way; emphatically
Failed big at the box office.
Little
(offensive) Used to belittle a person.
Listen up, you little shit.
Big
Of great size, large.
Elephants are big animals, and they eat a lot.
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.
Big
(informal) Fat.
Gosh, she is big!
Little
(of a sibling) Younger.
This is my little sister.
Big
Large with young; pregnant; swelling; ready to give birth or produce.
She was big with child.
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.
Big
(informal) Well-endowed, possessing large breasts in the case of a woman or a large penis in the case of a man.
Whoa, Nadia has gotten pretty big since she hit puberty.
Little
(derogatory) To imply that the inhabitants of the place have an insular attitude and are hostile to those they perceive as foreign.
Big
(informal) Adult; (of a child) older.
Kids should get help from big people if they want to use the kitchen.
We were just playing, and then some big kids came and chased us away.
She did it all on her own like a big girl.
Little
Having few members.
Little herd
Big
Old, mature. Used to imply that somebody is too old for something, or acting immaturely.
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)
Big
.informal Mature, conscientious, principled; generous.
That's very big of you; thank you!
I tried to be the bigger person and just let it go, but I couldn't help myself.
Little
Short in duration; brief.
I feel better after my little sleep.
Big
(informal) Important or significant.
What's so big about that? I do it all the time.
Little
Small in extent of views or sympathies; narrow; shallow; contracted; mean; illiberal; ungenerous.
Big
Popular.
That style is very big right now in Europe, especially among teenagers.
Little
Not much.
This is a little known fact.
She spoke little and listened less.
We slept very little last night.
Big
(of a city) Populous.
Little
Not at all.
I was speaking ill of Fred; little did I know that he was right behind me, listening in.
Big
(informal) Used as an intensifier, especially of negative-valence nouns
You are a big liar.
Why are you in such a big hurry?
Little
Not much, only a little: only a small amount (of).
There is (very) little water left.
We had very little to do.
Big
Operating on a large scale, especially if therefore having undue or sinister influence.
There were concerns about the ethics of big pharma.
Big money
Big Tech, Big Steel (large or influential tech or steel companies)
Big Science (science performed by large terms, of large scope, with government or corporate funding)
Little
Not much; not a large amount.
Little is known about his early life.
Big
Enthusiastic (about).
I'm not big on the idea, but if you want to go ahead with it, I won't stop you.
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)
Big
In a loud manner.
Little
A child; particularly an infant.
Big
In a boasting manner.
He's always talking big, but he never delivers.
Little
A newly initiated member of a sorority, who is mentored by a big.
Big
In a large amount or to a large extent.
He won big betting on the croquet championship.
Little
The participant in ageplay who acts out the younger role.
Big
On a large scale, expansively.
You've got to think big to succeed at Amalgamated Plumbing.
Little
(countable) One who has mentally age regressed to a childlike state.
Big
Hard.
He hit him big and the guy just crumpled.
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.
Big
An important or powerful person; a celebrity; a big name.
Little
Short in duration; brief; as, a little sleep.
Best him enough: after a little time,I'll beat him too.
Big
(in the plural) The big leagues, big time.
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.
Big
(university slang) A initiated member of a sorority who acts as a mentor to a new member (the little).
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?
Big
(BDSM) The participant in ageplay who acts out the older role.
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.
Big
One or more kinds of barley, especially six-rowed barley.
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.
Big
To inhabit; occupy.
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.
Big
To locate oneself.
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.
Big
To build; erect; fashion.
Little
In a small quantity or degree; not much; slightly; somewhat; - often with a preceding it.
Big
To dwell; have a dwelling.
Little
A small amount or duration;
He accepted the little they gave him
Big
Having largeness of size; of much bulk or magnitude; of great size; large.
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
Big
Great with young; pregnant; swelling; ready to give birth or produce; - often figuratively.
[Day] big with the fate of Cato and of Rome.
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
Big
Having greatness, fullness, importance, inflation, distention, etc., whether in a good or a bad sense; as, a big heart; a big voice; big looks; to look big. As applied to looks, it indicates haughtiness or pride.
God hath not in heaven a bigger argument.
I talked big to them at first.
Little
Of short duration or distance;
A brief stay in the country
In a little while
It's a little way away
Big
Barley, especially the hardy four-rowed kind.
"Bear interchanges in local use, now with barley, now with bigg."
Little
Not fully grown;
What a big little boy you are
Small children
Big
To build.
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
Big
Above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent;
A large city
Set out for the big city
A large sum
A big (or large) barn
A large family
Big businesses
A big expenditure
A large number of newspapers
A big group of scientists
Large areas of the world
Little
(of a voice) faint;
A little voice
A still small voice
Big
Significant;
Graduation was a big day in his life
Little
Younger brother or sister;
Little brother
Big
Of very great significance;
Deciding to drop the atom bomb was a very big decision
A momentous event
Little
Lowercase;
Little a
Small a
E.e.cummings's poetry is written all in minuscule letters
Big
Conspicuous in position or importance;
A big figure in the movement
Big man on campus
He's very large in financial circles
A prominent citizen
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
Big
Very intense;
A bad headache
In a big rage
Had a big (or bad) shock
A bad earthquake
A bad storm
Little
Not much;
He talked little about his family
Big
Loud and firm;
A big voice
Big bold piano sounds
Little
Small in size or amount.
The kitten is so little and cute.
Big
Prodigious;
Big spender
Big eater
Heavy investor
Little
Of short duration or distance.
Wait a little while longer.
Big
(of animals) fully developed;
An adult animal
A grown woman
Little
Used to express sympathy or affection.
My little brother is just five.
Big
Marked by intense physical force;
A big wind
Big
Feeling self-importance;
Too big for his britches
Had a swelled head
He was swelled with pride
Big
Older brother or sister;
Big sister
Big
Exhibiting self-importance;
Big talk
Big
Generous and understanding and tolerant;
A heart big enough to hold no grudges
That's very big of you to be so forgiving
A large and generous spirit
A large heart
Magnanimous toward his enemies
Big
Given or giving freely;
Was a big tipper
The bounteous goodness of God
Bountiful compliments
A freehanded host
A handsome allowance
Saturday's child is loving and giving
A liberal backer of the arts
A munificent gift
Her fond and openhanded grandfather
Big
In an advanced stage of pregnancy;
Was big with child
Was great with child
Big
Extremely well;
His performance went over big
Big
In a boastful manner;
He talked big all evening
Big
On a grand scale;
Think big
Big
In a major way;
The play failed big at the box office
Big
Significant in terms of importance.
It's a big decision to make.
Common Curiosities
Is "Little" only used for young children?
No, "Little" can refer to size, amount, degree, or youthfulness, among other things.
Is "Big" always positive and "Little" negative?
Not necessarily. Both words can be neutral or carry positive or negative connotations depending on the context.
Can "Big" refer to age?
Yes, "Big" can imply maturity or adulthood, e.g., "big brother."
Are "Big" and "Little" always used to describe physical size?
No, they can also describe importance, age, emotional impact, and other contexts.
Can "Big" and "Little" be used interchangeably?
No, "Big" typically denotes large size or significance, whereas "Little" denotes small size or insignificance.
What's the opposite of "Big"?
In most contexts, "Little" serves as the opposite of "Big."
What's the difference between "Little" and "a little"?
"Little" often indicates a small amount, while "a little" can suggest a slightly larger but still small amount.
Is "Big" always used in positive contexts?
No, it can be neutral or even negative, as in "big mistake."
Can "Little" describe duration?
Yes, it can indicate a short period, e.g., "wait a little while."
How are "Big" and "Little" used in colloquial speech?
They can be part of idioms, like "big deal" or "little by little."
Can "Big" and "Little" be used in comparative forms?
Yes, "bigger" and "littler" or "smaller" are their comparative forms.
Is "Big" always an adjective?
Mostly, but it can also be an adverb, as in "think big."
Can "Big" and "Little" be used as nouns?
In some contexts, yes. For example, "the Big Apple" or "the little ones."
Can "Big" and "Little" describe emotional impact?
Yes, something can have a "big impact" or be of "little consequence."
Can "Little" be used to express endearment?
Yes, it can be affectionate, as in "my little one."
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
