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diminutive

1 of 2

noun

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

Adjective

Choose the Right Synonym for diminutive

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.

a relatively small backyard

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

your pathetic little smile

diminutive implies abnormal smallness.

diminutive bonsai plants

minute implies extreme smallness.

a minute amount of caffeine in the soda

tiny is an informal equivalent to minute.

tiny cracks formed in the painting

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

a dollhouse with miniature furnishings

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of diminutive was in the 14th century

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