diminutive

1 of 2

noun

di·min·u·tive də-ˈmi-nyə-tiv

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").

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

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Noun

But that’s hardly the only reason the diminutive forward made the San Jose Sharks roster out of training camp. —

Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 7 Oct. 2024 Hebrew Meaning: Bee Alternative Spellings & Variations: Deborah, Debbie Karen Origin: Danish Meaning: Pure Fun Fact: Karen is a Danish diminutive of Katherine. —

Katie Nolan, Parents, 5 Sep. 2024

Adjective

The American crushed the diminutive Martina Hingis in two of her three major single victories. —

Tim Ellis, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024 This one gets off to a so-so start, leading with material about the diminutive height of everyone in his wife Olivia Munn’s family, based on the levels of Asian ancestry per member. —

Joe Berkowitz, Vulture, 3 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for diminutive

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

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Diminutive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diminutive. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

diminutive

1 of 2 noun

di·min·u·tive də-ˈmin-yət-iv

: a diminutive word, name, or affix

: a diminutive object or individual

diminutive

2 of 2 adjective

: indicating small size and sometimes the state or quality of being lovable or pitiful

the diminutive suffixes "-ette" and "-ling"

the diminutive noun "duckling"

: extremely small : tiny

diminutively adverb

diminutiveness noun

Last Updated: 19 Oct 2024 - Updated example sentences

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diminutive

noun

adjective

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Synonyms

Examples of diminutive in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near diminutive

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition