wee

1 of 2

adjective

1
: very small : diminutive
2
: very early
wee hours of the morning

WEE

2 of 2

abbreviation

Examples of wee in a Sentence

Adjective He's just a wee lad.
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.
Adjective
While Jeffrey is cleaning himself in the sink in the wee hours, the store’s manager (Dinklage) shows up and encounters the naked trespasser. Eric Andersson, PEOPLE, 10 Oct. 2025 Plans for a relaxing vacation take a turn in the wee hours of their first morning. Courtney Howard, Variety, 9 Oct. 2025 The coaching points for catching a football don’t change much from pee-wee leagues to the Big Ten. Austin Meek, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025 The film is a feast of practical effects and unapologetic bad taste, designed to be enjoyed with rowdy crowds in packed theaters in the wee hours of the morning. Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 2 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for wee

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English we, from we, noun, little bit, from Old English wǣge weight; akin to Old English wegan to move, weigh — more at way

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of wee was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Wee.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wee. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

wee

adjective
1
: very small : tiny
2
: very early
the wee hours of the morning

Medical Definition

WEE

abbreviation
western equine encephalitis; western equine encephalomyelitis

More from Merriam-Webster on wee

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