scintilla

/sɪnˈtɪlə/

Other forms: scintillas

It might take more than a scintilla of English vocabulary knowledge to know that scintilla means a tiny bit of something.

Scintilla is a long word for describing a tiny thing. It comes sandwiched between the words a and of in phrases like “a scintilla of doubt” or “not a single scintilla of evidence.” If you’re uncertain of the pronunciation, remember: it rhymes with chinchilla and the c is silent, just like in science. Similar words you can use to talk about tiny bits of something are iota, smidgen, speck, and whit.

Definitions of scintilla

1. noun

   a tiny or scarcely detectable amount
   synonyms: iota, shred, smidge, smidgen, smidgeon, smidgin, tittle, whit

   type of:

   small indefinite amount, small indefinite quantity

   an indefinite quantity that is below average size or magnitude
2. noun

   a sparkling glittering particle
   type of:

   particle, subatomic particle

   a body having finite mass and internal structure but negligible dimensions