1
: a small or insignificant amount or degree : bit
might give him some water and a tad to eatC. T. Walker
2
: a small child
especially : boy
Phrases
a tad
: somewhat, rather
looked a tad bigger than meLarry Hodgson

Examples of tad in a Sentence

there's more than just a tad of hyperbole in the critics' praise for the promising young pianist grandfather never tires of telling us about the days when he was just a tad
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
His minutes were a tad boring, but his line was excellent defensively. Kevin Papetti, The Athletic, 5 Feb. 2025 This Sabrina is silly and effusive and a tad bit privileged. Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 28 Jan. 2025 Surpassing Wind Records The massive gas planet is a tad larger than Jupiter — but has a fraction of its mass. Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 22 Jan. 2025 The result is a gorgeous, haunting performance that sounds a tad harmonically like the Trio: Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris. Tom Roland, Billboard, 9 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for tad 

Word History

Etymology

probably from English dialect, toad, from Middle English tode — more at toad

First Known Use

circa 1877, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of tad was circa 1877

Dictionary Entries Near tad

Cite this Entry

“Tad.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tad. Accessed 18 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

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