Little vs. Short — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Urooj Arif — Updated on March 24, 2024
Little refers to size or amount being small, while short emphasizes lesser length or duration.
Difference Between Little and Short
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Little and short are both adjectives that describe a reduction in size, amount, or duration, but they are used in different contexts. For example, "a little water" refers to a small amount of water, not its length or height. In contrast, "short" specifically refers to a reduced length or duration and is primarily used when discussing the physical length of objects or the time span of events. It emphasizes a lesser extent from end to end or a brief period.
"Little" is often used to indicate a small size, quantity, or degree, suggesting a diminution in dimensions or measure. It can apply to physical sizes, quantities of objects or substances, or abstract concepts like time or distance, but it generally conveys a lesser amount rather than physical dimensions. For instance, "a short rope" focuses on the rope's length being less than expected or required, and "a short meeting" indicates the meeting's brief duration.
When describing height, "short" is the preferred term, especially for people or objects. Saying "he is short" indicates the person's stature is below average. Using "little" in this context, as in "he is little," can also imply short stature but might carry an additional connotation of youth, delicacy, or endearment, depending on the context.
In abstract uses, both words can convey a lack or insufficiency but in different ways. "A little patience" suggests a small amount of patience might be enough, whereas "a short temper" implies a quickness to anger, focusing on the brief duration before anger appears.
The choice between "little" and "short" often depends on what aspect the speaker wishes to emphasize: quantity or degree with "little," and length or duration with "short." This distinction influences their use in idiomatic expressions, descriptive language, and comparative statements, reflecting nuanced differences in meaning and application.
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Comparison Chart
Primary Use
Size, amount, or degree
Length or duration
Contexts
Quantity of objects or substances, abstract concepts
Physical length of objects, time span of events
Examples
A little water (quantity), a little effort (degree)
A short rope (length), a short break (duration)
Connotations
Smallness in size or amount, often without negative implication
Reduced length or duration, sometimes implying insufficiency
Usage in Height
Can imply short stature, often with an endearing tone
Directly refers to below average stature
Compare with Definitions
Little
Referring to a small amount or size.
She had little interest in the topic.
Short
Pertaining to a small length or duration.
The board was cut too short.
Little
Can denote a lesser degree or extent.
There's little difference between the two options.
Short
Can suggest a deficiency or inadequacy.
They are short on funds.
Little
Used to indicate minimal quantity.
Add a little sugar to the recipe.
Short
Used when something is lacking in length.
We took a short cut through the park.
Little
Often conveys an absence of excess.
He showed little emotion.
Short
Indicates a brief period.
After a short delay, the show started.
Little
Can be used affectionately or diminutively.
My little brother is starting school.
Short
Often relates to height when describing people.
He's quite short for his age.
Little
Small in size, amount, or degree (often used to convey an appealing diminutiveness or express an affectionate or condescending attitude)
A little puppy dog
A boring little man
The plants will grow into little bushes
Short
Measuring a small distance from end to end
Short dark hair
A short flight of steps
The bed was too short for him
Little
A small amount of
You only see a little of what he can do
We got a little help from a training scheme
Short
Lasting or taking a small amount of time
Visiting London for a short break
A short conversation
Little
Used to emphasize how small an amount is
The rouble is worth so little these days
He ate and drank very little
There was very little time to be lost
I have little doubt of their identity
Short
Relatively small in extent
He wrote a short book
A short speech
Little
A small amount of
We got a little help from a training scheme
You only see a little of what he can do
Short
(of a vowel) categorized as short with regard to quality and length (e.g. in standard British English the vowel /ʊ/ in good is short as distinct from the long vowel /uː/ in food).
Little
Used to emphasize how small an amount is
I have little doubt of their identity
He ate and drank very little
The rouble is worth so little these days
There was very little time to be lost
Short
(of a person) terse; uncivil
He was often sharp and rather short with her
Little
To a small extent
I was always a little afraid of her
He reminded me a little of my parents
Short
(of odds or a chance) reflecting or representing a high level of probability
They have been backed at short odds to win thousands of pounds
Little
Only to a small extent; not much or often (used for emphasis)
He was little known in this country
He had slept little these past weeks
Short
(of pastry) containing a high proportion of fat to flour and therefore crumbly.
Little
Small in size
A little dining room.
Short
(chiefly in sport) at, to, or over a relatively small distance
You go deep and you go short
Little
Small in quantity or extent
A little money.
A little work on the side.
Short
A drink of spirits served in a small measure.
Little
Short in extent or duration; brief
There is little time left.
Short
A short film as opposed to a feature film.
Little
Unimportant; trivial
A little matter.
Short
A short sound such as a short signal in Morse code or a short vowel or syllable
Her call was two longs and a short
Little
Narrow; petty
Mean little comments.
A little mind consumed with trivia.
Short
A short circuit.
Little
Having scant power or influence; of minor status
Just a little clerk in the records office.
Short
A person who sells short.
Little
Being at an early stage of growth; young
A little child.
Short
A mixture of bran and coarse flour.
Little
Younger or youngest. Used especially of a sibling
My little brother is leaving for college next week.
Short
Short-circuit or cause to short-circuit
The electrical circuit had shorted out
If the contact terminals are shorted, the battery quickly overheats
Little
Not much; scarcely
Works long hours, sleeping little.
Short
Sell (stocks or other securities or commodities) in advance of acquiring them, with the aim of making a profit when the price falls
The rule prevents sellers from shorting a stock unless the last trade resulted in a price increase
Little
Not in the least; not at all
They little expected such a generous gift.
Short
Having little length; not long.
Little
A small quantity or amount
Give me a little.
Short
Having little height; not tall.
Little
Something much less than all
I know little of their history.
Short
Extending or traveling not far or not far enough
A short toss.
Little
A short distance or time
A little down the road.
Waited a little.
Short
Lasting a brief time
A short holiday.
Little
Small in size.
This is a little table.
Short
Appearing to pass quickly
Finished the job in a few short months.
Little
Insignificant, trivial.
It's of little importance.
Short
Not lengthy; succinct
Short and to the point.
Little
(offensive) Used to belittle a person.
Listen up, you little shit.
Short
Rudely brief; abrupt
The owner was quite short with the new hire.
Little
Very young.
Did he tell you any embarrassing stories about when she was little?
That's the biggest little boy I've ever seen.
Short
Easily provoked; irascible
Has a short temper.
Little
(of a sibling) Younger.
This is my little sister.
Short
Inadequate; insufficient
Oil in short supply.
Were short on experience.
Little
(often capitalized) Used with the name of a place, especially of a country or its capital, to denote a neighborhood whose residents or storekeepers are from that place.
Short
Lacking in length or amount
A board that is short two inches.
Little
(derogatory) To imply that the inhabitants of the place have an insular attitude and are hostile to those they perceive as foreign.
Short
Lacking in breadth or scope
A short view of the problem.
Little
Having few members.
Little herd
Short
Deficient in retentiveness
A short memory.
Little
Operating on a small scale.
Little Steel (smaller steel companies, as contrasted with Big Steel)
Little Science (science performed by individuals or small teams, as contrasted with Big Science)
Short
Holding a trading position that is inversely related to the price of a security or index
Short investors.
An investor who is short gold.
Little
Short in duration; brief.
I feel better after my little sleep.
Short
Of or relating to a short sale
A short position.
Little
Small in extent of views or sympathies; narrow; shallow; contracted; mean; illiberal; ungenerous.
Short
Containing a large amount of shortening; flaky
A short pie crust.
Little
Not much.
This is a little known fact.
She spoke little and listened less.
We slept very little last night.
Short
Not ductile; brittle
Short iron.
Little
Not at all.
I was speaking ill of Fred; little did I know that he was right behind me, listening in.
Short
(Linguistics) Of, relating to, or being a speech sound of relatively brief duration, as the first vowel sound in the Latin word mălus, "evil," as compared with the same or a similar sound of relatively long duration, as the first vowel sound in the Latin word mālus, "apple tree."
Little
Not much, only a little: only a small amount (of).
There is (very) little water left.
We had very little to do.
Short
(Grammar) Of, relating to, or being a vowel sound in English, such as the vowel sound (ă) in pat or () in put, that is descended from a vowel of brief duration.
Little
Not much; not a large amount.
Little is known about his early life.
Short
Being of relatively brief duration. Used of a syllable in quantitative prosody.
Little
A small amount.
Can I try a little of that sauce?
Little did he do to make me comfortable.
If you want some cake, there's a little in the refrigerator
Many littles make a mickle. (Scottish proverb)
Short
(Slang) Close to the end of a tour of military duty.
Little
A child; particularly an infant.
Short
Abruptly; quickly
Stop short.
Little
A newly initiated member of a sorority, who is mentored by a big.
Short
In a rude or curt manner.
Little
The participant in ageplay who acts out the younger role.
Short
At a point before a given boundary, limit, or goal
A missile that landed short of the target.
Little
(countable) One who has mentally age regressed to a childlike state.
Short
At a disadvantage
We were caught short by the sudden storm.
Little
Small in size or extent; not big; diminutive; - opposed to big or large; as, a little body; a little animal; a little piece of ground; a little hill; a little distance; a little child.
He sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.
Short
By means of a short sale
Selling a commodity short.
Little
Short in duration; brief; as, a little sleep.
Best him enough: after a little time,I'll beat him too.
Short
(Linguistics) A short syllable, vowel, or consonant.
Little
Small in quantity or amount; not much; as, a little food; a little air or water.
Conceited of their little wisdoms, and doting upon their own fancies.
Short
A brief film; a short subject.
Little
Small in dignity, power, or importance; not great; insignificant; contemptible.
When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes?
Short
A size of clothing less long than the average for that size.
Little
Small in force or efficiency; not strong; weak; slight; inconsiderable; as, little attention or exertion;little effort; little care or diligence.
By sad experiment I knowHow little weight my words with thee can find.
Short
Shorts Short pants extending to the knee or above.
Little
Small in extent of views or sympathies; narrow; shallow; contracted; mean; illiberal; ungenerous.
The long-necked geese of the world that are ever hissing dispraise,Because their natures are little.
The men, and the women, and the little ones.
Short
Shorts Undershorts.
Little
That which is little; a small quantity, amount, space, or the like.
Much was in little writ.
There are many expressions, which carrying with them no clear ideas, are like to remove but little of my ignorance.
Short
A short sale.
Little
A small degree or scale; miniature.
A little, to or in a small degree; to a limited extent; somewhat; for a short time. " Stay a little."
The painter flattered her a little.
Short
One that sells short.
Little
In a small quantity or degree; not much; slightly; somewhat; - often with a preceding it.
Short
Shorts A byproduct of wheat processing that consists of germ, bran, and coarse meal or flour.
Little
A small amount or duration;
He accepted the little they gave him
Short
Shorts Clippings or trimmings that remain as byproducts in various manufacturing processes, often used to make an inferior variety of the product.
Little
Limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent;
A little dining room
A little house
A small car
A little (or small) group
A small voice
Short
A short circuit.
Little
(quantifier used with mass nouns) small in quantity or degree; not much or almost none or (with `a') at least some;
Little rain fell in May
Gave it little thought
Little hope remained
Little time is left
We still have little money
A little hope remained
A little time is left
Short
A malfunction caused by a short circuit.
Little
Of short duration or distance;
A brief stay in the country
In a little while
It's a little way away
Short
(Baseball) A shortstop.
Little
Not fully grown;
What a big little boy you are
Small children
Short
To cause a short circuit in.
Little
(informal terms) small and of little importance;
A fiddling sum of money
A footling gesture
Our worries are lilliputian compared with those of countries that are at war
A little (or small) matter
Mickey Mouse regulations
A dispute over niggling details
Limited to petty enterprises
Piffling efforts
Giving a police officer a free meal may be against the law, but it seems to be a picayune infraction
Short
(Informal) To give (one) less than one is entitled to; shortchange.
Little
(of a voice) faint;
A little voice
A still small voice
Short
To short-sell (a security or index).
Little
Younger brother or sister;
Little brother
Short
To short-circuit.
Little
Lowercase;
Little a
Small a
E.e.cummings's poetry is written all in minuscule letters
Short
Having a small distance from one end or edge to another, either horizontally or vertically.
Little
Small in a way that arouses feelings (of tenderness or its opposite depending on the context);
A nice little job
Bless your little heart
My dear little mother
A sweet little deal
I'm tired of your petty little schemes
Filthy little tricks
What a nasty little situation
Short
(of a person) Of comparatively small height.
Little
Not much;
He talked little about his family
Short
Having little duration.
Our meeting was a short six minutes today. Every day for the past month it’s been at least twenty minutes long.
Short
(followed by for) Of a word or phrase, constituting an abbreviation (for another) or shortened form (of another).
"Phone" is short for "telephone" and "asap" short for "as soon as possible".
Short
That is relatively close to the batsman.
Short
Bowled so that it bounces relatively far from the batsman.
Short
That falls short of the green or the hole.
Short
(gambling) Of betting odds, offering a small return for the money wagered.
Short
Brittle, crumbly. See shortbread, shortcake, shortcrust, shortening, hot short, cold-short.
Short
Abrupt; brief; pointed; petulant.
He gave a short answer to the question.
Short
Limited in quantity; inadequate; insufficient; scanty.
A short supply of provisions
Short
Insufficiently provided; inadequately supplied, especially with money; scantily furnished; lacking.
To be short of money
I'd lend you the cash but I'm a little short at present.
The cashier came up short ten dollars on his morning shift.
Short
Deficient; less; not coming up to a measure or standard.
An account which is short of the truth
Short
(colloquial) Undiluted; neat.
Short
(obsolete) Not distant in time; near at hand.
Short
(finance) Being in a financial investment position that is structured to be profitable if the price of the underlying security declines in the future.
Short position
I'm short in General Motors because I think their sales are plunging.
Short
(by extension) Doubtful of, skeptical of.
Short
Of money: given in the fewest possible notes, i.e. those of the largest denomination.
Short
Abruptly, curtly, briefly.
They had to stop short to avoid hitting the dog in the street.
He cut me short repeatedly in the meeting.
The boss got a message and cut the meeting short.
Short
Unawares.
The recent developments at work caught them short.
Short
Without achieving a goal or requirement.
His speech fell short of what was expected.
Short
Relatively far from the batsman and hence bouncing higher than normal; opposite of full.
Short
(finance) With a negative ownership position.
We went short most finance companies in July.
Short
A short circuit.
Short
A short film.
Short
A short version of a garment in a particular size.
38 short suits fit me right off the rack.
Do you have that size in a short?
Short
(baseball) A shortstop.
Jones smashes a grounder between third and short.
Short
(finance) A short seller.
The market decline was terrible, but the shorts were buying champagne.
Short
(finance) A short sale or short position.
He closed out his short at a modest loss after three months.
Short
A summary account.
Short
(phonetics) A short sound, syllable, or vowel.
Short
(programming) An integer variable having a smaller range than normal integers; usually two bytes long.
Short
An automobile; especially in crack shorts, to break into automobiles.
Short
(transitive) To cause a short circuit in (something).
Short
To short circuit.
Short
(transitive) To shortchange.
Short
To provide with a smaller than agreed or labeled amount.
This is the third time I’ve caught them shorting us.
Short
To sell something, especially securities, that one does not own at the moment for delivery at a later date in hopes of profiting from a decline in the price; to sell short.
Short
(obsolete) To shorten.
Short
Deficient in.
We are short a few men on the second shift.
He's short common sense.
Short
(finance) Having a negative position in.
I don’t want to be short the market going into the weekend.
Short
Not long; having brief length or linear extension; as, a short distance; a short piece of timber; a short flight.
The bed is shorter than that a man can stretch himself on it.
Short
Not extended in time; having very limited duration; not protracted; as, short breath.
The life so short, the craft so long to learn.
To short absense I could yield.
Short
Limited in quantity; inadequate; insufficient; scanty; as, a short supply of provisions, or of water.
Short
Insufficiently provided; inadequately supplied; scantily furnished; lacking; not coming up to a resonable, or the ordinary, standard; - usually with of; as, to be short of money.
We shall be short in our provision.
Short
Deficient; defective; imperfect; not coming up, as to a measure or standard; as, an account which is short of the trith.
Short
Not distant in time; near at hand.
Marinell was sore offendedThat his departure thence should be so short.
He commanded those who were appointed to attend him to be ready by a short day.
Short
Limited in intellectual power or grasp; not comprehensive; narrow; not tenacious, as memory.
Their own short understandings reachNo farther than the present.
Short
Less important, efficaceous, or powerful; not equal or equivalent; less (than); - with of.
Hardly anything short of an invasion could rouse them again to war.
Short
Abrupt; brief; pointed; petulant; as, he gave a short answer to the question.
Short
Breaking or crumbling readily in the mouth; crisp; as, short pastry.
Short
Brittle.
Short
Not prolonged, or relatively less prolonged, in utterance; - opposed to long, and applied to vowels or to syllables. In English, the long and short of the same letter are not, in most cases, the long and short of the same sound; thus, the i in ill is the short sound, not of i in isle, but of ee in eel, and the e in pet is the short sound of a in pate, etc. See Quantity, and Guide to Pronunciation, 22, 30.
Short
A summary account.
The short and the long is, our play is preferred.
Short
The part of milled grain sifted out which is next finer than the bran.
The first remove above bran is shorts.
Short
Short, inferior hemp.
Short
Breeches; shortclothes.
Short
A short sound, syllable, or vowel.
If we compare the nearest conventional shorts and longs in English, as in "bit" and "beat," "not" and "naught," we find that the short vowels are generally wide, the long narrow, besides being generally diphthongic as well. Hence, originally short vowels can be lengthened and yet kept quite distinct from the original longs.
Short
In a short manner; briefly; limitedly; abruptly; quickly; as, to stop short in one's course; to turn short.
He was taken up very short, and adjudged corrigible for such presumptuous language.
Short
To shorten.
Short
To fail; to decrease.
Short
The location on a baseball field where the shortstop is stationed
Short
Accidental contact between two points in an electric circuit that have a potential difference
Short
The fielding position of the player on a baseball team who is stationed between 2nd and 3rd base
Short
Cheat someone by not returning him enough money
Short
Create a short-circuit in
Short
Primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration;
A short life
A short flight
A short holiday
A short story
Only a few short months
Short
Primarily spatial sense; having little length or lacking in length;
Short skirts
Short hair
The board was a foot short
A short toss
Short
Low in stature; not tall;
His was short and stocky
Short in stature
A short smokestack
Short
Not sufficient to meet a need;
An inadequate income
A poor salary
Money is short
On short rations
Food is in short supply
Short on experience
Short
Not holding securities or commodities that one sells in expectation of a fall in prices;
A short sale
Short in cotton
Short
Of speech sounds (especially vowels) of relatively short duration (as e.g. the English vowel sounds in `pat', `pet', `pit', `pot', putt')
Short
Containing a large amount of shortening; therefore tender and easy to crumble or break into flakes;
Shortbread is a short crumbly cookie
A short flaky pie crust
Short
Less than the correct or legal or full amount often deliberately so;
A light pound
A scant cup of sugar
Regularly gives short weight
Short
Used of syllables that are unaccented or of relatively brief duration
Short
(of memory) deficient in retentiveness or range;
A short memory
Short
Lacking foresight or scope;
A short view of the problem
Shortsighted policies
Shortsighted critics derided the plan
Myopic thinking
Short
Unwilling to endure;
She was short with the slower students
Short
Quickly aroused to anger;
A hotheaded commander
Short
Most direct;
Took the shortest and most direct route to town
Short
Marked by rude or peremptory shortness;
Try to cultivate a less brusque manner
A curt reply
The salesgirl was very short with him
Short
Quickly and without warning;
He stopped suddenly
Short
Without possessing something at the time it is contractually sold;
He made his fortune by selling short just before the crash
Short
Clean across;
The car's axle snapped short
Short
At some point or distance before a goal is reached;
He fell short of our expectations
Short
So as to interrupt;
She took him up short before he could continue
Short
At a disadvantage;
I was caught short
Short
Tightly;
She caught him up short on his lapel
Short
In a curt, abrupt and discourteous manner;
He told me curtly to get on with it
He talked short with everyone
He said shortly that he didn't like it
Common Curiosities
Does "short" always refer to physical dimensions?
No, "short" can also refer to durations or abstract measures, like a "short time" or "short of expectations."
Is "little" or "short" more negative in connotation?
"Short" can imply insufficiency or inadequacy, especially in phrases like "short on time," making it potentially more negative than "little."
How do "a little" and "a short while" compare?
"A little" can refer to a small amount of something, while "a short while" specifically refers to a brief period of time.
Can "little" and "short" be used interchangeably?
While there can be overlap in some contexts, their specific connotations often make them not directly interchangeable.
Can "little" have a positive implication?
Yes, "little" can have positive nuances, emphasizing modesty, simplicity, or sufficiency without excess.
Is "short" used differently in financial contexts?
In finance, "short" has a specific meaning related to selling assets one does not own, showcasing its versatile application beyond physical or temporal dimensions.
How does "little" function differently in comparative and superlative forms?
In comparative and superlative forms, "little" becomes "less" and "least," focusing on quantity or degree rather than size or length.
How do cultural perceptions of "little" and "short" vary?
Cultural perceptions can influence the interpretation of these terms, with "short" possibly viewed more negatively in contexts valuing height.
Does "little" relate to age as well as size?
"Little" can imply youth or smallness in an affectionate or diminutive way, especially in relation to age.
Are there instances where "short" is preferred over "little" in formal writing?
In formal writing, "short" is often preferred when precision is needed regarding length or duration.
How do idiomatic expressions influence the understanding of "little" and "short"?
Idioms can reinforce or expand the meanings of these words, often in ways that reflect cultural attitudes or common experiences.
What is the significance of "little" in the phrase "little by little"?
"Little by little" highlights gradual progress or change, emphasizing small increments over time.
How do "little" and "short" contribute to character descriptions in literature?
These terms can provide nuanced insights into characters' physical attributes, personalities, or life circumstances, enriching narrative depth and readers' perceptions.
Can "little" imply endearment?
Yes, "little" can convey affection or tenderness, especially when referring to children or loved ones.
How does "short" function in the phrase "short-tempered"?
In "short-tempered," "short" emphasizes the quickness to anger, focusing on the brief duration of patience.
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Maham Liaqat
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Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
