English Dictionary
Definition bit in British English
bit
adverb, pronoun
What are red words?
Around 90% of spoken and written English relies on just 7,500 common words.
These words are highlighted in red and are ranked using a star system.
- One-star words are commonly used
- Two-star words are even more common
- Three-star words are the most frequently used
adverb, pronoun
What are red words?
Around 90% of spoken and written English relies on just 7,500 common words.These words are highlighted in red and are ranked using a star system.
- One-star words are commonly used
- Two-star words are even more common
- Three-star words are the most frequently used
A bit can be used in the following ways:
as an adverb: We waited a bit, and then decided to go. (before an adjective or adverb): It’s a bit cold in here, isn’t it?
as a pronoun: She’d only eaten a bit before she started choking. (followed by ‘of’): I could use a bit of help.
Bit can also be used in many expressions referring to amounts or degrees, especially small ones.
The expressions a bit and a little bit, when used before an adjective or adverb, are used mainly in informal English. To express the same meaning in written text, you can use any of the following:
▪ a little
▪ slightly
▪ rather
▪ somewhat
✗ Public service television seems to be a bit more serious, more based on facts.
✓ Public service television seems to be a little more serious, more based on facts.
✓ Public service television seems to be slightly/rather/somewhat more serious, more based on facts.
✗ That would improve the situation a little bit.
✓ That would improve the situation somewhat/a little.
✗ Words can diverge a bit from their literary meaning according to the context.
✓ Words can diverge somewhat/slightly from their literary meaning according to the context.
That was a bit stupid.
a short time
You’ll have to wait a bit.
Why don’t you come and stay with us for a bit?
She’s always been a bit of a mystery to me.
used for saying that you think someone is sexually attractive
someone that a person from a higher social class has a sexual relationship with because they consider their lack of education, culture, or politeness attractive
an insulting word for a sexually attractive woman
someone you have a sexual relationship with, even though you are married or in a serious relationship with someone else
just as
The newly developed medication is every bit as effective as the old one.
used for emphasizing that something is definitely true
not at all
not at all
to need a lot of effort, skill, or determination to do
That’s going to take a bit of explaining.
Related Words
Words related to bit: