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Definitions

bit by bit

ADVERB
a little at a time
Synonyms
WEAK
by degrees drop by drop grade by grade gradually in stages inch by inch inchmeal little by little piecemeal step by step
ADJECTIVE
gradual
Synonyms
STRONG
drop-by-drop gentle gradational gradual moderate moderated slow steady step-by-step unhurried

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"We can't do that for our ocean. We have to map it bit by bit using acoustic instruments on ships," he explains.

From BBC • Mar. 7, 2026

Another acquaintance said that Pauline would wear two sets of clothes out of the house so that she could sneak her wardrobe out, bit by bit, without Pusser noticing.

From Slate • Nov. 6, 2025

She has since sold off her gold bit by bit to get by.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 6, 2025

While the garden is rooted in local culture, built bit by bit from the flotsam and jetsam of Los Angeles locations and plants native to the ecology, the programming is more global in approach.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2025

Piece by piece, bit by bit, the Americans were giving me back my life.

From "Prisoner B-3087" by Alan Gratz

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.