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.
Chisholm may be right that he’s been a tad unlucky. Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2025 Except, there’s reason to suggest the Madrid challenge has arrived a tad too soon. Henry Flynn, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025 For a tropical fruit that’s a tad more fiber-rich (nine grams per cup, to be specific), go with guava instead. Caroline Tien, SELF, 16 Apr. 2025 But if such a meat margin appears a tad daunting, the new 2-Zone is a more modest version of griddle-out. Julian Chokkattu, Wired News, 5 Apr. 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

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Cite this Entry

“Tad.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tad. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

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