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

The change reflected Stone's request to go a tad darker than her usually brown-red hue. —Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 12 Jan. 2026

Much of the emotional depth of Henry’s book gets flattened in this adaptation that is a tad more focused on the com rather than the rom. —Shannon Carlin, Time, 9 Jan. 2026

This single-strap leather tote is a tad more practical for everyday use but still fits into the slouchy, hobo trends that are carrying over into 2026. —Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 8 Jan. 2026

Wish the armrests were just a tad longer? —Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 8 Jan. 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