little by little

adverb

: by small degrees or amounts : gradually

Synonyms of little by little

• gradually
• bit by bit
• by degrees

Examples of little by little in a Sentence

little by little, we pieced together the jigsaw puzzle

Recent Examples on the Web

Work on it all summer, adding to it little by little. — Parents, 11 June 2026

Start buying items little by little ahead of time. — Michelle Marchante updated May 27, Miami Herald, 27 May 2026

And with each throw, Matt’s own place in the world was defined, little by little. — Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 21 June 2026

Practice is super important to build the pace little by little. — Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 4 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for little by little

• noncommittal
• prehospital
• acquittal
• belittle
• committal
• hospital
• popliteal
• submittal
• transmittal
• brittle
• kittel
• kittle

Kids Definition

little by little

adverb

: by small steps or amounts : gradually