Wee vs. Little — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 3, 2024
Wee emphasizes tiny size or an early hour, commonly used in Scottish and informal contexts; little denotes small size more broadly, applicable universally.
Difference Between Wee and Little
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Wee is often used to describe something extremely small or to denote the early hours of the morning, particularly in Scottish English or informally elsewhere. Whereas, little is a more universally recognized adjective that refers broadly to small size or lesser amount without specific regional connotations.
Wee can carry a tone of endearment or informality, suggesting a diminutive size that is notable or charming. On the other hand, little can be neutral, used simply to describe quantitative attributes without necessarily invoking warmth or affection.
In the context of time, wee hours specifically refer to the time just after midnight or very early in the morning. Little, however, does not have a specific linkage to time and is more versatile in usage across various contexts.
Wee might also be used in phrases like "wee bit" to emphasize a very small amount of something in Scottish or dialectical English. Whereas, little is frequently used in various English-speaking regions with the same meaning of "small amount," as in "a little bit."
Comparison Chart
Regional Usage
Predominantly Scottish, informal elsewhere
Universally used
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Connotation
Endearing, diminutive
Neutral, straightforward
Common Phrases
Wee hours, wee bit
Little bit, a little while
Linkage to Time
Refers specifically to early hours
No specific linkage to time
Emotional Tone
Often implies charm or affection
Generally lacks emotional connotation
Compare with Definitions
Wee
Often used affectionately to describe small, cute things.
Look at that wee puppy!
Little
Used to describe shorter than usual duration.
They took a little break.
Wee
Extremely small in size.
She lives in a wee house at the end of the street.
Little
Indicates a small amount of something.
He has little interest in sports.
Wee
Informally used for emphasizing something small.
Just a wee bit more sugar, please.
Little
Small in size, amount, or degree.
She gave him a little smile.
Wee
Pertaining to the early part of the night or morning.
He woke up at the wee hours to prepare.
Little
Often implies less than necessary or expected.
There's little sugar left in the jar.
Wee
Used to express something insignificant or minor.
That's a wee problem compared to what we faced before.
Little
Used to indicate a young age.
Little children need plenty of sleep.
Wee
Little
The lyrics are a wee bit too sweet and sentimental
When I was just a wee bairn
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
Wee
Urine
There was wee all over the floor
Little
A small amount of
You only see a little of what he can do
We got a little help from a training scheme
Wee
Urinate.
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
Wee
Very small; tiny.
Little
A small amount of
We got a little help from a training scheme
You only see a little of what he can do
Wee
A short time; a little bit.
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
Wee
Urine.
Little
To a small extent
I was always a little afraid of her
He reminded me a little of my parents
Wee
To urinate.
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
Wee
Small, little.
You looked a little cold, so I lit a wee fire.
Little
Small in size
A little dining room.
Wee
A short time or short distance.
Little
Small in quantity or extent
A little money.
A little work on the side.
Wee
Urine.
Little
Short in extent or duration; brief
There is little time left.
Wee
An act of urination.
I need to have a wee
Little
Unimportant; trivial
A little matter.
Wee
To urinate.
I need to wee! I can't hold it any longer!
Little
Narrow; petty
Mean little comments.
A little mind consumed with trivia.
Wee
Form of obsolete emphatic
Little
Having scant power or influence; of minor status
Just a little clerk in the records office.
Wee
A little; a bit, as of space, time, or distance.
Little
Being at an early stage of growth; young
A little child.
Wee
Very small; little.
A little wee face, with a little yellow beard.
Little
Younger or youngest. Used especially of a sibling
My little brother is leaving for college next week.
Wee
A short time;
Bide a wee
Little
Not much; scarcely
Works long hours, sleeping little.
Wee
Eliminate urine;
Again, the cat had made on the expensive rug
Little
Not in the least; not at all
They little expected such a generous gift.
Wee
(used informally) very small;
A wee tot
Little
A small quantity or amount
Give me a little.
Wee
Very early;
The wee hours of the morning
Little
Something much less than all
I know little of their history.
Little
A short distance or time
A little down the road.
Waited a little.
Little
Small in size.
This is a little table.
Little
Insignificant, trivial.
It's of little importance.
Little
(offensive) Used to belittle a person.
Listen up, you little shit.
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.
Little
(of a sibling) Younger.
This is my little sister.
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.
Little
(derogatory) To imply that the inhabitants of the place have an insular attitude and are hostile to those they perceive as foreign.
Little
Having few members.
Little herd
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)
Little
Short in duration; brief.
I feel better after my little sleep.
Little
Small in extent of views or sympathies; narrow; shallow; contracted; mean; illiberal; ungenerous.
Little
Not much.
This is a little known fact.
She spoke little and listened less.
We slept very little last night.
Little
Not at all.
I was speaking ill of Fred; little did I know that he was right behind me, listening in.
Little
Not much, only a little: only a small amount (of).
There is (very) little water left.
We had very little to do.
Little
Not much; not a large amount.
Little is known about his early life.
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)
Little
A child; particularly an infant.
Little
A newly initiated member of a sorority, who is mentored by a big.
Little
The participant in ageplay who acts out the younger role.
Little
(countable) One who has mentally age regressed to a childlike state.
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.
Little
Short in duration; brief; as, a little sleep.
Best him enough: after a little time,I'll beat him too.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
Little
In a small quantity or degree; not much; slightly; somewhat; - often with a preceding it.
Little
A small amount or duration;
He accepted the little they gave him
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
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
Little
Of short duration or distance;
A brief stay in the country
In a little while
It's a little way away
Little
Not fully grown;
What a big little boy you are
Small children
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
Little
(of a voice) faint;
A little voice
A still small voice
Little
Younger brother or sister;
Little brother
Little
Lowercase;
Little a
Small a
E.e.cummings's poetry is written all in minuscule letters
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
Little
Not much;
He talked little about his family
Common Curiosities
How does "little" function grammatically in a sentence?
"Little" functions as an adjective or adverb, modifying nouns or other adverbs to denote size, amount, or degree.
What are some synonyms for "wee"?
Synonyms for "wee" include tiny, minuscule, and diminutive.
How is "little" used in informal contexts?
In informal contexts, "little" is often used affectionately or diminutively, similar to "wee" in Scottish.
Can "wee" and "little" be used interchangeably?
While sometimes interchangeable, "wee" is more colloquial and specific to size or early hours, whereas "little" is more versatile.
Is "wee" commonly used in American English?
"Wee" is less common in American English, often perceived as either Scottish or overly informal.
What does "the wee hours" mean?
"The wee hours" refers to the time period just after midnight or very early in the morning.
What are some synonyms for "little"?
Synonyms for "little" include small, slight, and minor.
What is the origin of "wee"?
"Wee" originates from Scottish and Northern English dialects.
Does "little" have a positive or negative connotation?
"Little" is generally neutral but can imply insufficiency or inadequacy in some contexts.
Can "little" refer to time?
Yes, "little" can refer to a short amount of time, as in "a little while."
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
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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.
