li'l en · ADJ
Pronunciation
Etymology
Contracted from little, especially as pronounced with flapping, when the /t/ is barely audible.
Meanings
-
(alt-of, pronunciation-spelling) Pronunciation spelling of little.
alt of little
" Go s'eepy, baby; don' you be 'Paid; mammy ain' gwine let nuffin' hu't you, even ef pappy don' wan' look at huh li'l face. Bye, bye, go s'eepy, mammy's li'l gal."
1898, Paul Laurence Dunbar, Folks from Dixie, page 118:Jesse called her his li'l cutie pie. Because she was happy to be so cute and her daddy's little girl,
2006, Cris Burks, Neecey's lullaby:
-
Generic intensifier.
This li'l puppy is adorable!
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| li'l' | alternative | lexicographic | |
| lil' | alternative, misspelling | lexicographic | |
| lil | alternative | lexicographic |