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").

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

Examples of diminutive in a Sentence

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
Yana added, referring to Navalny by a diminutive of his first name. USA TODAY, 17 Feb. 2024 Dimon is a diminutive for Dmitry. Joseph De Avila, WSJ, 11 Mar. 2022 Riv is a favored diminutive for Riviera Country Club, the venerable Pacific Palisades par-71 layout playing host to this week’s PGA Tour event that will include every golfer in the top 25 except Niemann and Cameron Smith, another LIV defector. Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2023 And the Suns did lose twice to the Pelicans, whose diminutive Jose Alvarado pestered Paul like a relentless gnat. Dallas News, 5 May 2022 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
Adjective
The share of voters who believe the nation is on the right track remains a dismal and diminutive minority at 24 percent. Shane Goldmacher, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2024 The newfound, brown-colored creatures are extremely diminutive in size, measuring less than a millimeter wide, researchers said. Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2024 But between the gigantic lunar-forming impact and the comparatively diminutive harbinger of dinosaurian death, Earth was certainly battered by other bodies. Alka Tripathy-Lang, Ars Technica, 26 Jan. 2024 Despite its pedestrian acceleration rating of 0-to-60 miles per hour in 8.1 seconds, the vehicle’s nimble driving and diminutive stature define its peppy personality. James Raia, The Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2024 In the course of the book, the diminutive economist, who stood just over five feet tall, comes to seem like nothing so much as a welterweight boxer. Krithika Varagur, The New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2024 Scientists have discovered a diminutive, translucent fish that makes a noise louder than an elephant. Katie Hunt, CNN, 2 Mar. 2024 Trending on Billboard The screams become truly deafening when, roughly 10 minutes later, the curtain opens to reveal the diminutive 55-year-old Australian pop star clad entirely in metallic gold. Rebecca Milzoff, Billboard, 29 Feb. 2024 Inside this diminutive dongle there is a sophisticated DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter) along with a headphone amplifier that’s designed to be more advanced and better sounding than the one used in most smartphones or computers. Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'diminutive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near diminutive

Cite this Entry

“Diminutive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diminutive. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

diminutive

1 of 2 noun
di·​min·​u·​tive də-ˈmin-yət-iv How to pronounce diminutive (audio)
1
: a diminutive word, name, or affix
2
: a diminutive object or individual

diminutive

2 of 2 adjective
1
: indicating small size and sometimes the state or quality of being lovable or pitiful
the diminutive suffixes "-ette" and "-ling"
the diminutive noun "duckling"
2
: extremely small : tiny
diminutively adverb
diminutiveness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on diminutive

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