iota

/aɪˈoʊtə/ literary

Say it: eye-OH-tuh

1. noun An extremely small, often insignificant, amount of something.
There wasn't an iota of truth in his entire story.
2. noun The ninth and smallest letter of the Greek alphabet (Ι, ι).
The professor explained how the Greek letter iota gave us the English word.
🇪🇸 iota

📖 Seen in the wild

This has not changed the equation one iota for her.
collected by @missha

✏️ iota in a sentence

It wouldn't make one iota of difference to the final outcome.
The new policy failed to change his opinion one iota.
She listened to the feedback without showing an iota of resentment.
He poured every last iota of his energy into completing the project on time.
The investigation revealed not an iota of evidence linking him to the crime.
I don't have an iota of sympathy for someone who cheats to get ahead.
The critic's review had not an iota of praise for the new film.

🔁 Synonyms & antonyms

jot bit shred smidgen speck scrap ounce trace hint

jot · a very close synonym, also often used in the negative.

bit · a much more common and informal term for a small amount.

shred · implies a tiny, torn-off piece, often of something abstract like evidence or dignity.

smidgen · an informal term, often used for small physical quantities of food or drink.

Opposites: abundance, plethora, ton, mass, wealth

🌱 Where it comes from

The word comes directly from the Greek letter 'iota' (ἰῶτα), the smallest letter in their alphabet. This literal smallness led to its figurative use in Latin and later English to mean 'the smallest possible part' of something. The biblical phrase 'not one jot or tittle' is related, as 'jot' is an English transliteration of iota.

🧩 How it's used

Common patterns:

not one iotanot an iota ofevery last iotawithout an iota of

Iota is most powerful and common in negative constructions like 'not one iota' or 'not an iota of' to strongly emphasize a total absence. While positive uses like 'every last iota' are correct, they are far less frequent. Because of its classical roots, the word carries a formal, slightly literary tone and can sound out of place in very casual conversation.

💬 Quick answers

What does iota mean?

Iota means an extremely small or insignificant amount. It originates from iota, the smallest letter in the Greek alphabet.

What's the difference between iota and jot?

They are very similar, both meaning a tiny amount and often used in negative phrases. Iota sounds slightly more formal or literary, while jot is a bit more common in everyday language.

Is iota a formal word?

Yes, iota is considered somewhat formal or literary. In casual conversation, you would be more likely to use words like 'bit' or 'speck'.

How do you use iota in a sentence?

It is most often used in negative statements to emphasize a complete lack of something, as in: 'His apology didn't have an iota of sincerity.'

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