diminutive
6 synonyms and 3 antonyms for diminutive, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Very small in size.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use diminutive
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
diminutive size
diminutive form
diminutive figure
Etymology
From Old French "diminutif", from Latin "dīminūtīvus", based on the past participle of "dīminuere", "to lessen".
Full origin of diminutive →Frequently asked questions
What does “diminutive” mean?
The word “diminutive” means very small in size. In plain terms, something small, or a shortened, affectionate version of a word or name.
How do you pronounce “diminutive”?
“Diminutive” is pronounced dih-MIHN-yuh-tihv (/dɪˈmɪn.jə.tɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “diminutive” in a sentence?
Here is “diminutive” used in a sentence: “A diminutive terrier trotted along beside its owner.”
What part of speech is “diminutive”?
Depending on how it is used, “diminutive” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “diminutive” come from?
The word “diminutive” comes from Latin. From Old French "diminutif", from Latin "dīminūtīvus", based on the past participle of "dīminuere", "to lessen".
How many meanings does “diminutive” have?
“Diminutive” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: very small in size.
Related words
and suffixes
diminish
diminution
diminutization
diminutize
dimwit
hypocorism
interjections
pet form
pet name
proper nouns
