Vocabulary in context
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Diminutive
Extremely small; a shortened or affectionate form of a name.
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Imagine This
Imagine a tiny toy house sitting on a desk next to a full-size house; the toy is diminutive, barely taller than a paperclip.
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Sounds Like
dih-MIN-yuh-tiv
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Looks Like
Resembles words meaning small (minuscule, miniature); contains mini, signaling smallness.
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Remember This
Diminutive comes from Latin diminutus meaning 'made smaller' and is often used to describe small objects or to form affectionate nickname forms; it's also used in grammar to denote a smaller or endearing variant of a word.
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Other Forms
diminutivenessnoun
diminutivelyadverb
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Connect With
diminish, minuscule, minute, tiny, petite
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Note
Be careful not to confuse the adjective sense with the noun 'diminutive' which can refer to a shortened form or nickname. Also note the distinction between 'minute' meaning tiny and 'minute' meaning a unit of time.
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Study Deeper
Examples
- The diminutive statue sat on the shelf, barely taller than a matchbox.
- In many languages, diminutive forms of names express affection, such as 'Johnny' for 'John'.
Synonyms
minusculetinypetiteminutecompact
Antonyms
enormousvastgiant
Etymology
From Latin diminutus 'made smaller', from diminere 'to lessen'; via French diminutif into Middle English.
Mnemonic
DI-MINI-tive: the word literally contains MINI, hinting at its meaning of being very small.
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Immutable
adjectiveNot able to be changed; unchanging over time; fixed and permanent.
Imitation
nounThe act or result of copying someone or something; a thing that imitates or resembles another.
Heterogeneous
adjectiveDescribing a mixture or group that is composed of unlike parts; not uniform or homogeneous throughout.
Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Diminish
verbTo become smaller in size, amount, importance, or intensity; to reduce.
Abstruse
adjectiveDifficult to understand; obscure or highly complex.
Accidental
adjectiveHappening by chance or without deliberate planning; not intended. In music, it is also a noun for a symbol that temporarily alters a pitch.
Acerbic
adjectiveSharp or biting in tone or taste; caustic or mordant in manner.
Acquiescent
adjectiveReady to agree or approve without protest; compliant.
Adamant
adjectiveRigid in opinion or purpose; not willing to change one's mind or position.
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