tad
/tad
/informal
adverb (a tad)
To a small extent; somewhat: Mark looked a tad embarrassed...
- In a second half that was not much prettier but laced with a tad more passion, they bided their time.
- I dropped hints to Ed, but I feel rather selfish in doing so because it's a tad pricey for our budget.
- We are a tad worried by our fellow inhabitants, however, if we're regarded as the cleverest on earth.
noun [in singular]
A small amount of something: crumpets sweetened with a tad of honey...
- A tad more pressure, the paper blots, and the picture goes awry.
- A tad more emotional wallowing might be desired by some, but I don't find it lacking in depth or enjoyment.
- A tad more luck in front of goal and it could have been a different outcome.
Origin
Late 19th century (denoting a small child): origin uncertain, perhaps from tadpole. The current usage dates from the 1940s.