bit

adverb, pronoun

UK /bɪt/

A bit can be used in the following ways:

as an adverb: We waited a bit, and then decided to go. (before an adjective or adverb): It’s a bit cold in here, isn’t it?

as a pronoun: She’d only eaten a bit before she started choking. (followed by ‘of’): I could use a bit of help.

Bit can also be used in many expressions referring to amounts or degrees, especially small ones.

phrases

a bit
informal
1. 1
  slightly or a little
  I’m feeling a bit tired.
  That was a bit stupid.
  a bit more/less:
  The second interview was a bit less formal than the first.
  Synonyms and related words
  Slightly, to some degree and not completely
  slightly
  fairly
  partly
2. 2
  a short time
  You’ll have to wait a bit.
  for a bit:
  Why don’t you come and stay with us for a bit?
  in a bit:
  I’ll do it in a bit. I’m busy right now.
  Synonyms and related words
  Moments and short periods of time
  moment
  second
  instant
3. 3
  a small amount of something
  I’d like some sauce, but just a bit.
  a bit of:
  I know a bit of German.
  With a bit of luck we should still be able to get there in time.
  a little bit:
  She had a little bit of money that her father had left her.
  Synonyms and related words
  Small amounts or pieces of something
  bit
  piece
  fragment
4. 4
  to a limited degree
  I used to surf a bit when I was younger.
  Synonyms and related words
  Slightly, to some degree and not completely
  slightly
  fairly
  partly
a bit at a time
British
1
in several small stages over a period of time
There’s a lot to learn, so just memorize a bit at a time.
Synonyms and related words
Gradually
gradually
progressively
with time
a bit of a something
informal
1
used for saying that someone or something has a particular character, effect, or quality
It appears that my letter has caused a bit of a problem.
She’s always been a bit of a mystery to me.
Synonyms and related words
Features and qualities
feature
quality
factor
a bit much
informal
1
used for saying that you think something is unfair
Pay our own travel costs? That’s a bit much, don’t you think?
Synonyms and related words
Unfair
unfair
unjust
unequal
a bit of all right
Britishvery informal
1
used for saying that you think someone is sexually attractive
Her boyfriend’s a bit of all right, isn’t he?
Synonyms and related words
Sexually attractive man or woman
sex symbol
hot stuff
talent
a bit of rough
Britishinformal
1
someone that a person from a higher social class has a sexual relationship with because they consider their lack of education, culture, or politeness attractive
Synonyms and related words
Uneducated people
layman
rough diamond
peasant
a bit of skirt/fluff
Britishoffensive
1
an insulting word for a sexually attractive woman
Synonyms and related words
Sexually attractive women
femme fatale
Lolita
dumb blonde
a bit on the side
Britishinformal
1
someone you have a sexual relationship with, even though you are married or in a serious relationship with someone else
She didn’t want to be just his bit on the side.
Synonyms and related words
Fidelity, infidelity and marriage problems
a bit on the side
adulterer
adulteress
every bit as...
1
just as
The newly developed medication is every bit as effective as the old one.
Synonyms and related words
The same
another
equal
equivalent
a good/fair bit
1
a fairly large amount of something
We’ve still got a fair bit to do.
a good/fair bit of:
He’s lost a good bit of weight, hasn’t he?
Synonyms and related words
Large quantities or amounts
hoard
tsunami
wall
just a bit
spoken
1
used for emphasizing that something is definitely true
‘She’s taking it all very seriously.’ ‘Just a bit!’
Synonyms and related words
Ways of emphasizing that something is true or exact
actually
certainly
clearly
not a bit
Britishinformal
1
not at all
It’s not a bit like any of the other paintings he’s done.
Synonyms and related words
Not at all
not at all
not in the slightest
not one (little) bit
not a bit of it
Britishspoken
1
used for saying that something you would expect to happen has not happened
You’d think he’d just give up, but not a bit of it.
Synonyms and related words
Ways of saying no
no
certainly not
by no means
not one (little) bit
1
not at all
I don’t like what you’re doing one little bit.
Synonyms and related words
Not at all
not at all
not in the slightest
not one (little) bit
take a bit of doing
informal
1
to need a lot of effort, skill, or determination to do
That’s going to take a bit of explaining.
Synonyms and related words
Difficult to do and involving a lot of effort
difficult
hard
tough

bit

adverb, pronoun

US /bɪt/

A bit can be used in the following ways:

as an adverb: We waited a bit, and then decided to go. (before an adjective or adverb): It’s a bit cold in here, isn’t it?

as a pronoun: She’d only eaten a bit before she started choking. (followed by “of”): I could use a bit of help.

Bit can also be used in many expressions referring to amounts or degrees, especially small ones.

phrases

a bit
mainly Britishinformal
1. 1
  slightly or a little
  I’m feeling a little bit tired.
  That was a bit stupid.
  a bit more/less:
  The second interview was a bit less formal than the first.
  Synonyms and related words
  Slightly, to some degree and not completely
  slightly
  fairly
  partly
2. 2
  a short time
  You’ll have to wait a bit.
  for a bit:
  Why don’t you come and stay with us for a bit?
  in a bit:
  I’ll do it in a bit. I’m busy right now.
  Synonyms and related words
  Moments and short periods of time
  moment
  second
  instant
3. 3
  a small amount of something
  I’d like some sauce, but just a bit.
  a bit of:
  I know a bit of German.
  With a bit of luck we should be able to get there in time.
  a little bit:
  She had a little bit of money that her father had left her.
  Synonyms and related words
  Small amounts or pieces of something
  bit
  piece
  fragment
4. 4
  to a limited degree
  I used to surf a little bit when I was younger.
  Synonyms and related words
  Slightly, to some degree and not completely
  slightly
  fairly
  partly
a bit at a time
British
1
in several small stages over a period of time
Synonyms and related words
Gradually
gradually
progressively
with time
a bit much
mainly Britishinformal
1
used for saying that you think something is unfair
Pay our own travel costs? That’s a bit much, don’t you think?
Synonyms and related words
Unfair
unfair
unjust
unequal
a bit of a something
mainly Britishinformal
1
used for saying that someone or something has a particular character, effect, or quality
It appears that my letter has caused a bit of a problem.
She’s always been a bit of a mystery to me.
Synonyms and related words
Features and qualities
feature
quality
factor
a bit of all right
Britishvery informal
1
used for saying that you think someone is sexually attractive
Her boyfriend’s a bit of all right, isn’t he?
Synonyms and related words
Sexually attractive man or woman
sex symbol
hot stuff
talent
a bit on the side
Britishinformal
1
someone you have a sexual relationship with, even though you are married or in a serious relationship with someone else
She didn’t want to be just his bit on the side.
Synonyms and related words
Fidelity, infidelity and marriage problems
a bit on the side
adulterer
adulteress
every bit as...
1
just as
The newly developed medication is every bit as effective as the old one.
Synonyms and related words
The same
another
equal
equivalent
a good/fair bit
mainly British
1
a fairly large amount of something
We’ve still got a fair bit to do.
a good/fair bit of:
He’s lost a good bit of weight, hasn’t he?
Synonyms and related words
Large quantities or amounts
hoard
wall
windfall
just a bit
mainly Britishspoken
1
used for emphasizing that something is definitely true
“She’s taking it all very seriously.” “Just a bit!”
Synonyms and related words
Ways of emphasizing that something is true or exact
actually
certainly
clearly
not a bit
Britishinformal
1
not at all
It’s not a bit like any of the other paintings he’s done.
Synonyms and related words
Not at all
not in the slightest
not one (little) bit
none too
not one (little) bit
1
not at all
I don’t like what you’re doing one little bit.
Synonyms and related words
Not at all
not in the slightest
not one (little) bit
none too
take a bit of doing
mainly Britishinformal
1
to need a lot of effort, skill, or determination to do
Synonyms and related words
Difficult to do and involving a lot of effort
difficult
hard
tough

bit

noun

UK /bɪt/

Word Forms

singular	bit
plural	bits

1
a piece or part of something
1. 1a
  countable a small piece of something
  I’m having some cake. Do you want a bit?
  bit of:
  He had bits of food stuck in between his teeth.
  bits and pieces:
  The wreckage was spread over a wide area in tiny bits and pieces.
  Synonyms and related words
  Small amounts or pieces of something
  bit
  piece
  fragment
2. 1b
  Britishinformala part of something
  The best bit in the film is the scene in the restaurant.
  bit of:
  Some bits of the jigsaw are missing.
  Synonyms and related words
  General words for parts
  part
  unit
  section
3. 1c
  a particular aspect of something
  In general, I like my job, but I don’t enjoy the management bit.
  Synonyms and related words
  Features and qualities
  feature
  quality
  factor
2
countable computingthe most basic unit of information that can be stored in a computer
Synonyms and related words
Units for measuring computer information or speed
bandwidth
baud
bit
See alsobyte
3
countable a piece of metal put in a horse’s mouth so that a rider can control it
Synonyms and related words
Equipment for horse riding, racing and training
bit
blinkers
bridle
4
countable a tool or part of a tool used for cutting or making holes in things
Synonyms and related words
General hand tools
adjustable spanner
Allen key
applicator
Synonyms and related words
Parts of tools
attachment
bit
blade
5

bits
plural Britishhumorousa man’s sex organs
Synonyms and related words
Sex and reproductive organs
balls
bits
bollocks
6
countable usually pluralAmericanold-fashionedan amount of money worth 12½ cents
two bits
Synonyms and related words
Units of money
AUD
bit
c
7
every bit as
just as
Graham concludes that the mathematical models show “four corners” logic can be every bit as rigorously logical as the western yes-or-no model.
Submitted by:
Anh Nguyen from Viet Nam on 28/12/2019
Open Dictionary - December2019

phrases

bit by bit

bits and pieces/bobs

do your bit

get/take the bit between your teeth

to bits

bit

UK /bɪt/

the past tense of bite

Synonyms and related words

Irregular past tenses

arose

ate

awoke

bit

noun

US /bɪt/

Word Forms

singular	bit
plural	bits

1
a piece or part of something
1. 1a
  countable mainly Britisha small piece of something
  bit of:
  There were bits of broken glass all over the place.
  bits and pieces:
  The wreckage was spread over a wide area in tiny bits and pieces.
  Synonyms and related words
  Small amounts or pieces of something
  bit
  piece
  fragment
2. 1b
  mainly Britisha particular aspect of something
  In general, I like my job, but I don’t enjoy the management bit.
  Synonyms and related words
  Features and qualities
  feature
  quality
  factor
3. 1c
  Britishinformala part of something
  The best bit in the film is the scene in the restaurant.
  bit of:
  Some bits of the jigsaw puzzle are missing.
  Synonyms and related words
  General words for parts
  part
  unit
  section
2
countable computingthe most basic unit of information that can be stored in a computer
Synonyms and related words
Units for measuring computer information or speed
bandwidth
baud
bit
See alsobyte
3
countable a tool or part of a tool used for cutting or making holes in things
Synonyms and related words
General hand tools
adjustable wrench
Allen wrench
applicator
Synonyms and related words
Parts of tools
attachment
bit
blade
4
countable a piece of metal put in a horse’s mouth so that a rider can control it
Synonyms and related words
Equipment for horse riding, racing and training
bit
blinders
bridle
5
countable usually pluralAmericanold-fashionedan amount of money worth 12½ cents
two bits
Synonyms and related words
Units of money
AUD
bit
c.
6

bits
plural Britishhumorousa man’s sex organs
Synonyms and related words
Sex and reproductive organs
balls
beaver
bits
7
every bit as
just as
Graham concludes that the mathematical models show “four corners” logic can be every bit as rigorously logical as the western yes-or-no model.
Submitted by:
Anh Nguyen from Viet Nam on 28/12/2019
Open Dictionary - December2019

phrases

bit by bit

bits and pieces

do your bit

to bits

bit

US /bɪt/

the past tense of bite

Synonyms and related words

Irregular past tenses

arose

ate

awoke

bit ​‌‌‌

a bit

a bit at a time

a bit of a something

a bit much

a bit of all right

a bit of rough

a bit of skirt​/​fluff

a bit on the side

every bit as...

a good/fair bit

just a bit

not a bit

not a bit of it

not one (little) bit

take a bit of doing

bit ​‌‌‌

a bit

a bit at a time

a bit much

a bit of a something

a bit of all right

a bit on the side

every bit as...

a good​/​fair bit

just a bit

not a bit

not one (little) bit

take a bit of doing

bit ​‌‌

bits

every bit as

bit

bit ​‌

bits

every bit as

bit

bit

a bit of skirt/fluff

bit

a good/fair bit

bit

bit