Meaning & use
itsy-bitzy
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Meanings
adjectivebefore a nouninformalchild language
Extremely small in size, used in a light, affectionate or childish way.
Grammar: Almost always comes directly before a noun: an itsy-bitzy bikini. It is not usually used after a verb.
Patterns
- itsy-bitzy + noun
She changed the baby into an itsy-bitzy pair of socks.
They rented an itsy-bitzy apartment right above a bakery.
He came back from the beach with an itsy-bitzy shell in his pocket.
adjectivebefore a nouninformalhumorous
Very unimportant or very slight in amount, described in a joking, dismissive way.
Grammar: Used before a noun to make a small problem or amount sound almost silly: one itsy-bitzy mistake.
Patterns
- itsy-bitzy + noun
We had one itsy-bitzy problem with the booking, but it was fixed in a minute.
There is an itsy-bitzy chance of rain, so bring a light jacket.
Don't worry about that itsy-bitzy detail — nobody will notice.
Common combinations
- an itsy-bitzy bikini
- She packed an itsy-bitzy bikini for the trip.
- an itsy-bitzy baby
- Look at that itsy-bitzy baby in the front row.
- an itsy-bitzy bit
- I'm just an itsy-bitzy bit tired today.
- itsy-bitzy pieces
- The toy broke into itsy-bitzy pieces.
- one itsy-bitzy problem
- There's just one itsy-bitzy problem we need to solve.
Synonyms and how they differ
- tiny
- The plain, everyday word for 'very small'; use it in normal writing, and keep itsy-bitzy for speech or playful writing.
- teeny
- Also informal and childish, but it describes smallness on its own and is not usually doubled.
- minuscule
- A formal or slightly exaggerated word for extremely small; it sounds serious, so it does not fit a joking tone.
- little
- Much milder and more neutral; it can also suggest cuteness, but it does not mean 'extremely small'.
Opposites
Word family
- itsy-bitsy adjective
- A common variant spelling of the same playful word.
- teeny-weeny adjective
- A similar rhyming pair meaning very small, used in the same light way.
Commonly confused: itsy-bitzy or itzy-bitzy? itsy-bitzy or bitsy?
itsy-bitzy vs itzy-bitzy
A misspelling. The standard spelling begins with 'its', as in 'it's' without the apostrophe.
itsy-bitzy vs bitsy
'Bitsy' can stand alone as an informal word for small, but 'itsy-bitzy' is the usual fixed pair.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'itsy-bitzy' in the most natural way?
Choose one answer.
'Itsy-bitzy' is an informal adjective that goes before a noun, so 'an itsy-bitzy hat' fits. Option A wrongly uses it like a comparative, option C puts it before an adverb, and option D uses it as a verb.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “itsy-bitzy”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.