2 syllables: Lit, tle. Stress on Lit.
LIT-uhl
/ˈlɪtəl/
Little is pronounced LIT-uhl (/ˈlɪtəl/). It has two syllables (Lit-tle), with the stress on "Lit". Little is an adjective meaning small in size or extent, often conveying affection or emphasis. It also appears as an adverb in phrases like “little by little,” indicating a small amount or gradual degree. In everyday speech, it can carry nuances of endearment, diminutive form, or modest emphasis depending on context and intonation.
adjectiveLittle is an adjective meaning small in size or extent, often conveying affection or emphasis. It also appears as an adverb in phrases like “little by little,” indicating a small amount or gradual degree. In everyday speech, it can carry nuances of endearment, diminutive form, or modest emphasis depending on context and intonation.
"That dog is little, but very brave."
"She took a little nap before dinner."
"He gave me a little help with the project."
Pronounce as LIH-tl with stress on the first syllable. IPA US/UK: /ˈlɪt.əl/. The first vowel is a short lax I (as in
Common errors: 1) Over-suppressing the second syllable, producing /ˈlɪtəl/ with a too-tensed second vowel; 2) Framing as a long 'i' in the first syllable, sounding like 'lie-ttle' (/ˈlaɪtəl/); 3) Dropping the /t/ or adding an extra schwa. Correction: keep the first syllable /ˈlɪt/ with a short, lax vowel; lightly vocalize the second syllable /-əl/; avoid vowel elongation. Fence of IPA: /ˈlɪt.əl/.
In US English, /ˈlɪt.əl/ with a clear /ɪ/; the second syllable is weakly stressed and often reduced to a schwa [ə] in connected speech. UK English tends to unify the second syllable more, maybe [əl] with less reduction, and non-rhotic tendencies may slightly affect vowel quality. Australian English aligns with non-rhotic pattern, with broad realization of /ˈlɪt.əl/ and a subtle openness in the /ɪ/ vowel. Across all, the primary stress remains on the first syllable.
The difficulty often lies in maintaining a clean /t/ release followed by a quick, light /əl/ sequence. Many speakers blend the /t/ into a flap or skip the second syllable entirely in rapid speech, producing /ˈlɪl/ or /ˈlɪtɫ/. Focusing on a precise alveolar stop and a barely audible schwa can help; practice with a light, quick tongue motion for the second syllable. IPA guidance: keep /t/ crisp, then a reduced /əl/.
A unique aspect is the short, unstressed second syllable, which often reduces to an almost-but-not-quite-voiceless /əl/ or /əl/ that blends with the following sound in linked speech. The first syllable needs a crisp /l/ and /ɪ/; avoid lengthening the vowel. In connected speech, you’ll typically hear a fast transition from /ˈlɪ/ to /təl/ with minimal vowel clarity in the second syllable.
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US: /ˈlɪt.əl/, straightforward rhythm with two syllables; UK: /ˈlɪt.əl/ often with a slightly shorter, less pronounced /ɪ/ and a paused or clipped final /əl/; AU: /ˈlɪt.əl/ similar to US but with broader vowel quality and a more 'drawn-out' final schwa in connected speech, depending on tempo. IPA specifics: maintain /ɪ/ in the first syllable, keep the /t/ as an alveolar stop, and reduce the second syllable to /əl/ rather than /əl̩/.
Little comes from Old English lȳtel, which meant small, few, or minor. The root lȳtel is related to Dutch klein and German klein, both meaning small, forming a Proto-Germanic base *þelaz or *līt- that conveys diminutive form. In Middle English, lytel appeared in texts as litle or lite, parallel to forms in other Germanic languages marking smallness. The sense shifted over time to emphasize either size (physical smallness) or degree (a little time, a little bit). The word is deeply embedded in affixal diminutive usage across English, maintaining frequent collocations with adjectives and verbs to express modest quantity or intensity. Early citations appear in Old English poetry and prose, with established usage by Chaucer’s era reinforcing the word’s dual function as adjective and adverb in modern English. First known uses are attested in Old English manuscripts dating before the 12th century, evolving through Middle and Early Modern English into today’s standard spelling and pronunciation.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Little" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Little"
-tle sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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