iota

[ahy-oh-tuh]

noun

1. a very small quantity; jot; whit.

   Synonyms: mite, grain, atom, particle, bit

2. the ninth letter of the Greek alphabet (I, ι).

3. the vowel sound represented by this letter.

iota

/ aɪˈəʊtə /

noun

1. the ninth letter in the Greek alphabet (Ι, ι), a vowel or semivowel, transliterated as i or j

2. (usually used with a negative) a very small amount; jot (esp in the phrase not one or an iota )

Word History and Origins

Origin of iota¹

1600–10; < Latin iōta < Greek iôta < Semitic; compare Hebrew yōdh yod

Word History and Origins

Origin of iota¹

C16: via Latin from Greek, of Semitic origin; see _jot

Idioms and Phrases

see not one iota.

Example Sentences

The measles, mumps, and rubella, or MMR, vaccine does not contain an iota of fetal cells.

From Salon

If these GOPers had even an iota of decency or genuine care for the Golden State, they would back a bill by one of their own that I actually support.

From Los Angeles Times

Like the film’s title, the jokes in “Happy Gilmore 2” don’t require a single iota of thought, only a death-grip on nostalgia.

From Salon

"In all likelihood, this finding doesn't affect our daily lives one iota, but we really want to understand what's happening in the middle of the Earth," he adds.

From BBC

But even if she’d been driving a fire truck in the Palisades, it wouldn’t have made an iota of difference in the disaster.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ounce 
• smidgen 
• speck 
• whit