little one

Meanings

1. 1nouncountableinformal

   An affectionate way of referring to a young child or baby.

   Grammar: Often used in the plural: the little ones are asleep.

   Patterns

   • my little one
   • the little ones

   Come here, little one, and let me tie your shoe.

   She carried the sleepy little one to bed.

   The park has a play area just for the little ones.

2. 2nouncountableinformal

   A small member of a group, such as a young animal in a litter or a family.

   Grammar: Refers to youngest animals or children: the little ones in the nest.

   Patterns

   • the little ones of something

   The mother bird fed the little ones in the nest.

   The farmer kept the little ones warm in the barn.

   Zoo visitors loved seeing the little ones play.

Word forms

Common combinations

my little one

My little one starts school next week.

the little ones

The little ones had a nap after lunch.

our little one

Our little one is learning to walk.

for the little ones

There are story times for the little ones.

watch the little ones

Could you watch the little ones while I cook?

Synonyms and how they differ

kiddo

Kiddo is more casual and playful, and can be used for children of any age.

toddler

Toddler is a precise word for a child learning to walk, while little one is an affectionate and vague label.

youngster

Youngster is a neutral word for a young person, without the warmth of little one.

baby

Baby refers to an infant, while little one can describe a baby or a young child.

Opposites

Word family

little adjective

small in size or age

littles noun

an informal term for small children

little ones noun

the plural form, young children

littler adjective

comparative form of little

Commonly confused: little one or small one?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “little one”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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