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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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Based on the Dylan Thomas prose poem of the same name, published in 1952, the film lovingly and mournfully depicts the boyhood Christmastime of an old Welshman, tenderly and a tad mischievously embodied by Elliott. Sheldon Pearce, New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2025 The Steelers lead the North with a 6-4 record, and their strength of schedule is also a tad easier than the Chiefs. Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 17 Nov. 2025 The level of project may be a tad higher this edition, but there’s not much in it. Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 12 Nov. 2025 Note that store brand turkeys may be a tad cheaper. Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for tad

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of tad was circa 1877

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Cite this Entry

“Tad.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tad. Accessed 26 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

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