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diminutive
[ dih-min-yuh-tiv ]
adjective
- small; little; tiny:
a diminutive building for a model-train layout.
- Grammar. pertaining to or productive of a form denoting smallness, familiarity, affection, or triviality, as the suffix -let, in droplet from drop.
noun
- a small thing or person.
- Grammar. a diminutive element or formation.
- Heraldry. a charge, as an ordinary, smaller in length or breadth than the usual.
diminutive
/ dɪˌmɪnjʊˈtaɪvəl; dɪˈmɪnjʊtɪv /
adjective
- very small; tiny
- grammar
- denoting an affix added to a word to convey the meaning small or unimportant or to express affection, as for example the suffix -ette in French
- denoting a word formed by the addition of a diminutive affix
noun
- grammar a diminutive word or affix
- a tiny person or thing
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Derived Forms
- diˈminutiveness, noun
- diˈminutively, adverb
- diminutival, adjective
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Other Words From
- di·minu·tive·ly adverb
- di·minu·tive·ness noun
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Word History and Origins
Origin of diminutive1
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Synonym Study
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Example Sentences
Her style, much like her diminutive nickname, is best described as “Hamptons twee”—preppy and peppy.
Tyrion, now on the lam for patricide by crossbow, is destined for an unknown foreign port like a diminutive Edward Snowden.
Similar to the Space Shuttle in appearance, the diminutive X-37B is about a quarter the size of the old shuttles.
Edmund Morgan, 97 Diminutive, almost elfin in appearance, he bestrode his field like a colossus.
The diminutive history teacher turned soldier once said he learned his trade in the bush.
A light-colored mulatto boy, in dress coat and bearing a diminutive silver tray for the reception of cards, admitted them.
A very diminutive man, instructing his young son, told him if he neglected his learning he would never grow tall.
Its diminutive size and its unpopularity, however, prevent its general culture in this country.
Yet this diminutive building served the needs of the place from the days of Edward VI.
Its very diminutive stove stands near to its extremely small door, which is in close proximity to its unusually little window.
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