Etymology Map
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Little

3 stages from Proto-Germanic to English.

Today it means small in size or amount

Where does the word "little" come from? It comes from Proto-Germanic lūtilaz, passing through Old English before entering English (1500s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
lūtilaz
Proto-Germanic · ancient
"small"
Dutch 'luttel' is a cousin
2
Stage 2 of 3
lȳtel
Old English · 700s-1000s
"small"
used alongside 'smæl', which then meant slender
3
Stage 3 of 3
little
English · 1500s
"small"
'less' and 'least' come from a different root, which is why 'littler' is rare
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Read the full story

Little’s story begins in Proto-Germanic: lūtilaz meant “small.” Dutch 'luttel' is a cousin. By 700s-1000s, the word had taken hold in Old English as lȳtel. Used alongside 'smæl', which then meant slender. It reached English by 1500s as little. 'less' and 'least' come from a different root, which is why 'littler' is rare. Today, little means small in size or amount.