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.
The injury bug has not made its way to the WTA Tour, which has seen only 23 retirements or walkovers through the 2025 Indian Wells Open, just a tad higher than the 20.6 average from the past decade. Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 16 Mar. 2025 Both the House and Senate did get a tad younger at the start of the new Congress. Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025 While the price might seem a tad extreme, the features are breathtaking. Tj MacIas, Sacramento Bee, 11 Mar. 2025 If that seems a tad tiny, don’t fret, since the rides can be comfortably driven by most adults. Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 6 Mar. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tad.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tad. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

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