smidge

Everyday

1. (informal) A very small amount of something: «a smidge of butter». tree →
2. (informal) A little bit, slightly: «a smidge too long». tree →

In the lessons

In everyday talk and lessons on downplaying (understatement), «a smidge» makes something sound tiny. People sometimes say «a smidge» about something that is not really small, as a joke or to sound modest. Related: «smidgen», «tad», «touch», «pinch», «a bit».

Examples

• Can I have just a smidge of ketchup? tree →
• The skirt is a smidge too long. tree →
• Add a smidge of salt to the soup. tree →
• I'm a smidge tired after the walk. tree →
• «Just a smidge of cake,» said Dad, taking a huge slice. tree →
• Move the picture a smidge to the left. tree →

Note

Informal; mostly in «a smidge (of)». Short for «smidgen». It has no exact size — in a maths problem «a smidge» is not a number. Often used to downplay: «a smidge late» may mean quite late.