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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Noun

Meaning: The name Indie can be a diminutive of the names India (country southern Asia) or Indiana (state in midwestern U.S.). —

Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 4 Feb. 2025 This name could work as a diminutive of Gessica, which itself is a variant of Jessica. —

Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 20 Jan. 2025

Adjective

Despite its diminutive size, the Timekettle Fluentalk T1 Mini Translator is pretty capable. —

Séamus Bellamy, Travel + Leisure, 6 Feb. 2025 Decent connectivity and communication round out this diminutive Chromebook's feature set, including two USB Type-C ports (used for charging), a headphone jack, and front and rear cameras. —

Matthew Buzzi, PCMAG, 6 Feb. 2025 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 12 Feb. 2025.

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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: 10 Feb 2025 - 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