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

And please forgive Cignetti for getting a tad testy. —Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2026

With all those tweaks to the motor, the bike weighs a tad more than most 250cc bikes at 392 lb (178 kg), which is up there with the middle-weight MT-07 as well. —New Atlas, 29 Dec. 2025

Anyone expecting widespread alterations to the Lakers’ starting lineup on Sunday night was likely surprised, maybe even a tad disappointed, but hardly let down by the ensuing result against the visiting Sacramento Kings. —Dan Arritt, Oc Register, 29 Dec. 2025

Still, shift your perspective a tad, and suddenly this year’s crop appears to fit the classic Oscar mold. —Nate Jones, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025

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