itty-bitty

itty-bitty is an informal adjective that means extremely small, whether you’re talking about size or amount. It often appears before a noun, as in an itty-bitty kitten, an itty-bitty scratch, or an itty-bitty piece of cake. But this word does more than say “tiny.” Its playful rhythm can make something sound cute, warm, funny, or less important than it might seem. When should you choose itty-bitty instead of a more neutral word like tiny or extremely small? Watch the full lesson to hear how it works in natural English.