tad

noun

ˈtad 

1

: a small or insignificant amount or degree : bit

… might give him some water and a tad to eat …

—C. T. Walker

2

: a small child

especially : boy

Phrases

a tad

: somewhat, rather

He looked a tad bigger than me.

—Larry Hodgson

Synonyms of tad

• bit
• little
• sprinkling
• glimmer
• splash
• hint
• shred
• speck
• touch

Examples of tad in a Sentence

there's more than just a tad of hyperbole in the critics' praise for the promising young pianist

grandfather never tires of telling us about the days when he was just a tad

Recent Examples on the Web

Wish the armrests were just a tad longer? — Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 24 June 2026

Women are also welcome, of course … but sense seems to be a tad more common on that end of the things. — Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 17 June 2026

Some Wall Street analysts may find the earnings guidance a tad light. — Zev Fima, CNBC, 24 June 2026

Blue Apron's meals seem a tad simpler by comparison, but there's a good reason for that. — Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 23 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

probably from English dialect, toad, from Middle English tode — more at toad

First Known Use

circa 1877, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for tad

• ad
• add
• bad
• brad
• cad
• clad
• dad
• fad
• gad
• glad
• grad
• had

Kids Definition

tad

noun

ˈtad 

1

: boy sense 1

2

: bit entry 2 sense 1