Ask Difference

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.
Big vs. Little — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Big and Little

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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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Author Spotlight

Written by
Tayyaba Rehman
Tayyaba 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.

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