30 Words for Small Amounts

Words that refer to small amounts or objects are frequently associated with specific idioms or a certain connotation. Here are many of those words included in sample phrasings that suggest the sense in which they are often used.

1. Bit: a bit of a problem2. Crumb: a crumb of self-respect3. Dab: a dab of whipped cream4. Dash: a dash of pepper5. Fleck: a fleck of dirt6. Glimmer: a glimmer of hope7. Hint: a hint of cinnamon8. Iota: an iota of sense9. Jot: a jot of truth10. Lick: a lick of sense11. Modicum: a modicum of talent12. Morsel: a morsel of cheese13. Nugget: a nugget of wisdom14. Pinch: a pinch of salt15. Scrap: a scrap of food16. Scruple: a scruple of suspicion17. Shadow: a shadow of a doubt18. Shred: a shred of evidence19. Sliver: a sliver of sunlight20. Smatter(ing): a smattering of laughter21. Smidgen (or smidge): a smidgen of salt22. Snippet: a snippet of the conversation23. Spot: a spot of rain24. Sprinkling: a sprinkling of action25. Strain: a strain of weakness26. Streak: a streak of cruelty27. Tidbit: a tidbit of information28. Touch: a touch of humor29. Trace: a trace of incense30. Whisper: a whisper of autumn

Some synonyms are seen only in negative connotations, such as not worth a continental (referring to the nearly worthless currency of the fledgling US government during the Revolutionary War) or not worth peanuts.

Similar expressions include I dont care a whit or I dont give a rap (or fig or hoot or any of several other words) or diddly-squat or I dont know bupkes. (Each of the latter two usages has several variant spellings.)