tad

Everyday

1. (informal) A small amount; a little: «a tad of milk». tree →
2. (informal) «a tad» + adjective or adverb means «slightly, a little»: «a tad cold». tree →
3. (old, US) A small child, especially a boy. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday talk and lessons on downplaying, «a tad» softens what you say so it sounds polite or modest: «It's a tad expensive» may mean it is very expensive. Related: «a smidge», «a touch», «a bit», «slightly».

Examples

• The soup is a tad salty. tree →
• Could you turn the music down a tad? tree →
• I'm a tad nervous about the test. tree →
• «A tad late» said the teacher, when we were twenty minutes late. tree →
• Pass me a tad more sugar, please. tree →
• The jacket is a tad big, but you'll grow into it. tree →

Note

Informal; almost always «a tad». It is not an exact amount — in maths problems it gives no number. Often used for understatement (making something sound smaller than it is). Not the same as «tadpole».