tad

¹

[ tad ]

noun

, Informal.

1. a small child, especially a boy.
2. a very small amount or degree; bit:

   Please shift your chair a tad to the right. The frosting could use a tad more vanilla.

Tad

²

[ tad ]

noun

1. a male given name, form of Thaddeus or Theodore.

tad

/ tæd /

noun

1. a small boy; lad
2. a small bit or piece
3. a tad
   a little; rather

   she may be a tad short but she got a top modelling job

Word History and Origins

Origin of tad¹

1875–80, Americanism, tad fordef 1; 1935–40, Americanism, tad fordef 2; perhaps shortening of tadpole

Word History and Origins

Origin of tad¹

C20: short for tadpole

Example Sentences

The Florida version is also a tad longer, which results in some lengthier interstitial scenes without critters.

From Los Angeles Times

David Rooney was less favourable about Mescal's performance and called it "a tad flat at times" with his emotional range "sticking mostly to the same notes of brooding intensity and simmering rage".

From BBC

I was a tad reticent to click a link.

From Los Angeles Times

My family’s adaptation is not made with milk or half-and-half as most current recipes of today are, but it does have a tad bit cream as a finishing option.

From Salon

Labubu, her legion of fans will tell you, is female, the size of a cat and a tad mischievous.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• babe
• chick
• child
• kid
• toddler
• youngster