small, little, diminutive, minute, tiny, miniature mean noticeably below average in size.

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

little is more absolute in implication often carrying the idea of petiteness, pettiness, insignificance, or immaturity.

diminutive implies abnormal smallness.

minute implies extreme smallness.

tiny is an informal equivalent to minute.

miniature applies to an exactly proportioned reproduction on a very small scale.