adj
minor
MEYE-nuh
adj
1
Lesser in size, seriousness, or importance compared with something else.
"It was only a minor injury, so she kept playing."
"They made a few minor changes to the contract."
2
Not yet having reached the legal age of adulthood.
"It is illegal to sell alcohol to a minor."
noun
1
A person who is under the legal age of adulthood.
"The film is unsuitable for minors."
2
A secondary subject of study alongside a student's main degree.
"She majored in biology with a minor in Spanish."
verb
1
To study a subject as a secondary field alongside one's main degree.
"He decided to minor in economics."
How to Use Minor
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSmaller or less serious, a person under the legal adult age, or a secondary field of academic study.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "miner" (someone who digs for coal or ore) — they sound identical but are unrelated words.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
minor injury
minor in a subject
minor detail
Word Forms
more minor comparative, minored past tense, Minors plural, minors singular, most minor superlative
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “minor”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
It was only a _____ injury, so she kept playing.
Etymology
From Latin minor, "lesser" or "younger," which also gives us "minister," "minify," and "minimum."