diminutive

1 of 2

noun

di·min·u·tive də-ˈmi-nyə-tiv How to pronounce diminutive (audio)

grammar : a word, affix, or name usually indicating small size : a diminutive (see diminutive entry 2 sense 1) word, affix, or name

: one that is notably small : a diminutive individual

diminutive

2 of 2

adjective

grammar : indicating small size and sometimes the state or quality of being familiarly known, lovable, pitiable, or contemptible

—used of affixes (such as -ette, -kin, -ling) and of words formed with them (such as kitchenette, manikin, duckling), of clipped forms (such as Jim), and of altered forms (such as Peggy) compare augmentative

: exceptionally or notably small : tiny

a diminutive performer

diminutively adverb

diminutiveness noun

Did you know?

Just as diminish means "to grow smaller", diminutive means "very small". When writing about language, diminutive as both an adjective and a noun refers to particular endings and the words made with them to indicate smallness. In English, such endings include -et and -ette (piglet, dinette, cigarette, diskette) as well as -ie and -y (doggy, bootie, Bobby, Debbie). However, diminutives are more common in many other languages. Outside of language, diminutive is used for many things, including people ("She noticed a diminutive figure standing shyly by the door"), but often not very seriously ("We were served some rather diminutive rolls").

Example Sentences

Noun the diminutives “-ette” and “kitchenette” dik-diks, the diminutives of the antelope family Adjective a radio with a diminutive set of speakers the diminutive suffixes “-ette” and “-ling”

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Three kid contestants battle it out in each episode to make mini dishes that pack real flavor and showcase their flair for the diminutive.

Todd Spangler, Variety, 13 May 2022 Young Gerd, a common diminutive for Gerhard, found inspiration when the underdog West German team beat Hungary, at the time the world’s greatest team, to win the 1954 World Cup final.

Washington Post, 17 Aug. 2021 The blushy pink bonhomie that infuses every aspect of the Little Em’s experience transforms cuteness from a condescending diminutive into something that’s aspirational and inspirational.

Mike Sutter, San Antonio Express-News, 24 June 2021 But miraculously, nobody calls Baby Frank by a diminutive.

Molly Young, Vulture, 9 Apr. 2021 Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a diminutive yet towering women’s rights champion who became the court’s second female justice, died Friday at her home in Washington.

Mark Sherman, Fortune, 18 Sep. 2020 Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a diminutive yet towering women's rights champion died Friday at her home in Washington.

Star Tribune, 18 Sep. 2020 Spring tends to feature the diminutive, the small-statured and the vertically challenged.

Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 7 Aug. 2020 Still, or perhaps because of that, the servers are open-handed with diminutives — sweetheart, dear, friend.

Soleil Ho, SFChronicle.com, 27 Dec. 2019

Adjective

All pork ribs will melt off the bone when cooked low and slow, but thanks to their diminutive size — this is the shortest cut of rib — baby backs will get from the grill to the table faster than all other cuts.

Allison Robicelli, Washington Post, 8 July 2022 And given its diminutive size, the service is dependably warm and personal.

Irene S. Levine, Forbes, 4 July 2022 These diminutive Victorian ladies seemed larger because of their dress.

Ron Grossman, Chicago Tribune, 21 Aug. 2022 The diminutive orange amphibians somersault through the air, often landing on their backs.

Fionna M. D. Samuels, Scientific American, 18 Aug. 2022 Lucid went so far as to design its own diminutive but potent electric motors and energy-dense battery pack.

Car and Driver, 18 Aug. 2022 To the contrary, Elman observed the 5-foot-5 Frankfurter walking with a particular spring in his diminutive step.

Justin Driver, The Atlantic, 12 Aug. 2022 Massachusetts dragonflies range in size from the diminutive 3/4-inch-long elfin skimmer to the common green darner, which can exceed 3 inches in length.

Don Lyman, BostonGlobe.com, 10 Aug. 2022 Weighing 24 pounds, with a top speed of 20 m.p.h, this diminutive e-bike gets 10 miles on a two-hour charge.

Steve Larese, Outside Online, 10 Aug. 2022 See More

diminutive 1 of 2

adjective

as in small

of a size that is less than average a single diminutive shrub on the edge of the lawn

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

small
little
tiny
pocket
puny
miniature
dinky
smallish
fine
slender
dwarf
undersized
dwarfish
slight
bantam
miniaturized
pint-sized
sparse
pygmy
toylike
pocket-sized
subnormal
shrimpy
poor
pint-size
pocket-size
minuscule
mini
stunted
Lilliputian
undersize
spare
microscopic
lacking
half-pint
insufficient
bitty
weeny
teeny
inadequate
micro
runty
meager
wee
toy
slim
infinitesimal
inappreciable
scrubby
teensy
scarce
skimpy
minim
minikin
microscopical
little bitty
stingy
weensy
scanty
scant
teeny-weeny
minute
teensy-weensy
meagre
pinpoint
deficient
niggardly
capsule
skimp
runtish
wanting
bite-sized
bite-size

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

large
outsized
sizeable
considerable
sizable
handsome
big
oversized
substantial
great
outsize
largish
bulky
enormous
massive
gigantic
giant
oversize
goodly
hefty
gargantuan
husky
huge
grand
prodigious
voluminous
vast
whopping
monstrous
tremendous
colossal
humongous
stupendous
immense
tidy
mammoth
mountainous
elephantine
heroic
hulking
biggish
generous
cavernous
jumbo
monumental
gross
monolithic
heroical
herculean
abundant
staggering
titanic
appreciable
overscaled
cyclopean
copious
ample
galactic
plentiful
bountiful
liberal
overscale
humungous
wide
healthy
whacking
broad
king-sized
thick
plenteous
boxcar
pharaonic
fat
king-size
Brobdingnagian
leviathan
adequate
immeasurable
Bunyanesque
infinite
sufficient
cosmic
incalculable
boundless
enough
cosmical
Himalayan

diminutive

2 of 2

noun

as in dwarf

a living thing much smaller than others of its kind dik-diks, the diminutives of the antelope family

Synonyms & Similar Words

dwarf
miniature
midget
shrimp
mini
runt
pygmy
peewee
pigmy
scrub
mite
bantam
Tom Thumb
nubbin
homunculus
mannikin
manikin
half-pint
hop-o'-my-thumb

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

giant
mammoth
behemoth
monster
jumbo
colossus
titan
leviathan
whale
whopper

Synonym Chooser

Some common synonyms of diminutive are little, miniature, minute, small, and tiny. While all these words mean "noticeably below average in size," diminutive implies abnormal smallness.

diminutive bonsai plants

The meanings of little and diminutive largely overlap; however, little is more absolute in implication often carrying the idea of petiteness, pettiness, insignificance, or immaturity.

your pathetic little smile

While in some cases nearly identical to diminutive, miniature applies to an exactly proportioned reproduction on a very small scale.

a dollhouse with miniature furnishings

In some situations, the words minute and diminutive are roughly equivalent. However, minute implies extreme smallness.

a minute amount of caffeine in the soda

Both small and little are often interchangeable, but small applies more to relative size determined by capacity, value, number.

a relatively small backyard

Tiny is an informal equivalent to minute.

tiny cracks formed in the painting

单词	diminutive
释义	diminutive 1 of 2 noun di·min·u·tive də-ˈmi-nyə-tiv 1 grammar : a word, affix, or name usually indicating small size : a diminutive (see diminutive entry 2 sense 1) word, affix, or name 2 : one that is notably small : a diminutive individual diminutive 2 of 2 adjective 1 grammar : indicating small size and sometimes the state or quality of being familiarly known, lovable, pitiable, or contemptible —used of affixes (such as -ette, -kin, -ling) and of words formed with them (such as kitchenette, manikin, duckling), of clipped forms (such as Jim), and of altered forms (such as Peggy) compare augmentative 2 : exceptionally or notably small : tiny a diminutive performer diminutively adverb diminutiveness noun Did you know? Just as diminish means "to grow smaller", diminutive means "very small". When writing about language, diminutive as both an adjective and a noun refers to particular endings and the words made with them to indicate smallness. In English, such endings include -et and -ette (piglet, dinette, cigarette, diskette) as well as -ie and -y (doggy, bootie, Bobby, Debbie). However, diminutives are more common in many other languages. Outside of language, diminutive is used for many things, including people ("She noticed a diminutive figure standing shyly by the door"), but often not very seriously ("We were served some rather diminutive rolls"). Synonyms Noun dwarf midget mite peewee pygmy pigmy runt scrub shrimp Tom Thumb Adjective bantam dinky dwarfish fine half-pint Lilliputian little pint-size pint-sized pocket pocket-size pocket-sized puny pygmy shrimpy slight small smallish subnormal toylike undersized undersize See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Noun the diminutives “-ette” and “kitchenette” dik-diks, the diminutives of the antelope family Adjective a radio with a diminutive set of speakers the diminutive suffixes “-ette” and “-ling” Recent Examples on the Web Noun Three kid contestants battle it out in each episode to make mini dishes that pack real flavor and showcase their flair for the diminutive. Todd Spangler, Variety, 13 May 2022 Young Gerd, a common diminutive for Gerhard, found inspiration when the underdog West German team beat Hungary, at the time the world’s greatest team, to win the 1954 World Cup final. Washington Post, 17 Aug. 2021 The blushy pink bonhomie that infuses every aspect of the Little Em’s experience transforms cuteness from a condescending diminutive into something that’s aspirational and inspirational. Mike Sutter, San Antonio Express-News, 24 June 2021 But miraculously, nobody calls Baby Frank by a diminutive. Molly Young, Vulture, 9 Apr. 2021 Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a diminutive yet towering women’s rights champion who became the court’s second female justice, died Friday at her home in Washington. Mark Sherman, Fortune, 18 Sep. 2020 Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a diminutive yet towering women's rights champion died Friday at her home in Washington. Star Tribune, 18 Sep. 2020 Spring tends to feature the diminutive, the small-statured and the vertically challenged. Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 7 Aug. 2020 Still, or perhaps because of that, the servers are open-handed with diminutives — sweetheart, dear, friend. Soleil Ho, SFChronicle.com, 27 Dec. 2019 Adjective All pork ribs will melt off the bone when cooked low and slow, but thanks to their diminutive size — this is the shortest cut of rib — baby backs will get from the grill to the table faster than all other cuts. Allison Robicelli, Washington Post, 8 July 2022 And given its diminutive size, the service is dependably warm and personal. Irene S. Levine, Forbes, 4 July 2022 These diminutive Victorian ladies seemed larger because of their dress. Ron Grossman, Chicago Tribune, 21 Aug. 2022 The diminutive orange amphibians somersault through the air, often landing on their backs. Fionna M. D. Samuels, Scientific American, 18 Aug. 2022 Lucid went so far as to design its own diminutive but potent electric motors and energy-dense battery pack. Car and Driver, 18 Aug. 2022 To the contrary, Elman observed the 5-foot-5 Frankfurter walking with a particular spring in his diminutive step. Justin Driver, The Atlantic, 12 Aug. 2022 Massachusetts dragonflies range in size from the diminutive 3/4-inch-long elfin skimmer to the common green darner, which can exceed 3 inches in length. Don Lyman, BostonGlobe.com, 10 Aug. 2022 Weighing 24 pounds, with a top speed of 20 m.p.h, this diminutive e-bike gets 10 miles on a two-hour charge. Steve Larese, Outside Online, 10 Aug. 2022 See More Word History Etymology Noun Middle English diminutif, from Medieval Latin diminutivum, alteration of Late Latin deminutivum, from neuter of deminutivus, adjective, from deminutus, past participle of deminuere "to lessen" — more at diminish First Known Use Noun 14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Adjective 14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Kids Definition diminutive adjective di·min·u·tive də-ˈmin-yə-tiv : very small diminutive 1 of 2 adjective as in small of a size that is less than average a single diminutive shrub on the edge of the lawn Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance small little tiny pocket puny miniature dinky smallish fine slender dwarf undersized dwarfish slight bantam miniaturized pint-sized sparse pygmy toylike pocket-sized subnormal shrimpy poor pint-size pocket-size minuscule mini stunted Lilliputian undersize spare microscopic lacking half-pint insufficient bitty weeny teeny inadequate micro runty meager wee toy slim infinitesimal inappreciable scrubby teensy scarce skimpy minim minikin microscopical little bitty stingy weensy scanty scant teeny-weeny minute teensy-weensy meagre pinpoint deficient niggardly capsule skimp runtish wanting bite-sized bite-size Antonyms & Near Antonyms large outsized sizeable considerable sizable handsome big oversized substantial great outsize largish bulky enormous massive gigantic giant oversize goodly hefty gargantuan husky huge grand prodigious voluminous vast whopping monstrous tremendous colossal humongous stupendous immense tidy mammoth mountainous elephantine heroic hulking biggish generous cavernous jumbo monumental gross monolithic heroical herculean abundant staggering titanic appreciable overscaled cyclopean copious ample galactic plentiful bountiful liberal overscale humungous wide healthy whacking broad king-sized thick plenteous boxcar pharaonic fat king-size Brobdingnagian leviathan adequate immeasurable Bunyanesque infinite sufficient cosmic incalculable boundless enough cosmical Himalayan See More diminutive 2 of 2 noun as in dwarf a living thing much smaller than others of its kind dik-diks, the diminutives of the antelope family Synonyms & Similar Words dwarf miniature midget shrimp mini runt pygmy peewee pigmy scrub mite bantam Tom Thumb nubbin homunculus mannikin manikin half-pint hop-o'-my-thumb Antonyms & Near Antonyms giant mammoth behemoth monster jumbo colossus titan leviathan whale whopper See More Synonym Chooser Some common synonyms of diminutive are little, miniature, minute, small, and tiny. While all these words mean "noticeably below average in size," diminutive implies abnormal smallness. diminutive bonsai plants The meanings of little and diminutive largely overlap; however, little is more absolute in implication often carrying the idea of petiteness, pettiness, insignificance, or immaturity. your pathetic little smile While in some cases nearly identical to diminutive, miniature applies to an exactly proportioned reproduction on a very small scale. a dollhouse with miniature furnishings In some situations, the words minute and diminutive are roughly equivalent. However, minute implies extreme smallness. a minute amount of caffeine in the soda Both small and little are often interchangeable, but small applies more to relative size determined by capacity, value, number. a relatively small backyard Tiny is an informal equivalent to minute. tiny cracks formed in the painting
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diminutive

noun

adjective

Did you know?

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Kids Definition

adjective

adjective

noun

Synonym Chooser