minor
2 antonyms and opposites of minor, grouped by meaning.
Adj — Lesser in size, seriousness, or importance compared with something else.
Antonyms
How to use minor
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Latin minor, "lesser" or "younger," which also gives us "minister," "minify," and "minimum."
Full origin of minor →Frequently asked questions
What does “minor” mean?
The word “minor” means lesser in size, seriousness, or importance compared with something else. In plain terms, smaller or less serious, a person under the legal adult age, or a secondary field of academic study.
How do you pronounce “minor”?
“Minor” is pronounced MEYE-nuh (/ˈmaɪ.nəɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “minor” in a sentence?
Here is “minor” used in a sentence: “It was only a minor injury, so she kept playing.”
What is another word for “minor”?
Words with a similar meaning to “minor” include insignificant and Thesaurus:small.
What is the opposite of “minor”?
The opposite of “minor” — its antonyms — are major and antonym(s) of.
What part of speech is “minor”?
Depending on how it is used, “minor” can be an adjective, a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “minor” come from?
The word “minor” comes from Latin. From Latin minor, "lesser" or "younger," which also gives us "minister," "minify," and "minimum.".
Is “minor” a common word?
“Minor” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between minor and miner?
They sound alike but differ completely. Minor is mainly an adjective meaning lesser in size or importance, and a noun for a person under legal age. A miner is someone who works in a mine, extracting coal, ore, or minerals. Remember: a miner works underground; minor means small or less important.
What is the difference between minor and major?
They are opposites of degree. Minor means lesser in size, seriousness, or importance; major means greater or more significant. A minor injury is slight, while a major injury is severe. The pair appears throughout English — minor and major roads, keys, and repairs — always contrasting the smaller with the larger.
Does minor mean someone under 18?
As a noun, yes — a minor is a person below the legal age of adulthood, often eighteen, though the exact age varies by country and context. This is separate from the adjective minor, meaning small or unimportant. Both come from the Latin for 'lesser', which links the ideas of youth and smallness.
What is the opposite of minor?
For the adjective meaning small or unimportant, the opposite is major, or words like significant, serious, and important. For the noun meaning a young person, the opposite is an adult or a person of legal age. Context decides which sense, and therefore which antonym, applies.