VocabuoDictionaryGet the app
nounnounadjective

il piccolo

small

Qualcosa che ha dimensioni ridotte e non è grande.

Definition & meaning

Piccolo means small or little. It can describe physical size, a limited amount, or something minor in importance.

When referring to a person, it can also mean young or a child. As a noun, piccolo can mean “little one” or “child.”

Grammar & Word origin

An adjective with four forms: masculine singular piccolo, feminine singular piccola , masculine plural piccoli , and feminine plural piccole .

It usually comes before the noun, though it can follow it for emphasis or contrast. Its origin is uncertain, possibly related to an expressive root suggesting smallness.

Synonyms & antonyms

  • minuto — small in build or fine in detail.
  • minuscolo — tiny; stronger than piccolo.
  • grande — big or large; the main opposite.
  • enorme — enormous; a stronger opposite.

Common phrases & collocations

  • un piccolo problema — a small problem
  • da piccolo — when I was little, or when he was little
  • un po’ piccolo — a little small

Make “piccolo” part of your vocabulary.

Build your Italian vocabulary with flashcards, audio and spaced repetition.

Get Vocabuo on the App StoreGet Vocabuo for Android

Examples

Ho un gatto molto piccolo.adjective

I have a very small cat.

Keep exploring Italian

Learn words from the content you love.

Add words from websites, books and videos, then remember them with spaced repetition (SRS).

Download on theApp StoreGET IT ONGoogle Play