itsy-bitsy

See also: itsy bitsy

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From itty (baby-talk form of little) and/or bitsy.[1]

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈɪtsi ˈbɪtsi/
  • Audio (General Australian):(file)

Adjective

itsy-bitsy (comparative itsy-bitsier, superlative itsy-bitsiest)

  1. (colloquial, often childish or humorous) Very small; minuscule.
    Synonyms: incy wincy, itty-bitty, teeny-weeny
    The itsy-bitsy spider climbed up the water spout.
    She wore an itsy-bitsy teeny-weeny yellow polka-dot bikini.
    • 1995, Paul Vautin, Turn It Up!, Sydney: Pan Macmillan Australia, page 108:
      So if five noahs got trapped in that itsy bitsy net, then how many are out there along the other 20 miles of beaches?

Derived terms

Translations

Noun

itsy-bitsy (plural itsy-bitsies)

  1. (chiefly in the plural) A very small thing; something tiny or insignificant.

References

  1. ^ Douglas Harper (2001–2025) “itsy-bitsy”, in Online Etymology Dictionary.
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