Synonyms of tad
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.
Felton, who was a third-round pick in 2025, could claim that role, but that might be a tad too lofty an expectation. Alec Lewis, New York Times, 4 May 2026 What the law firm has now uncovered has yet to be officially reported, but the price tag for the investigation into the actions of Moore was more than likely a tad bit higher than what school officials probably had in mind when this all began. Trey Wallace Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2026 The junior right-hander was a tad off her game and has regressed somewhat since her spectacular sophomore season. Kirk Bohls, Houston Chronicle, 30 Apr. 2026 Ted’s a tad reserved and cold in his treatment of Annie. Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026 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 9 May. 2026.

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