adjective
diminutive
dih-MIHN-yuh-tihv
adjective
1
Very small in size.
"A diminutive terrier trotted along beside its owner."
"The apartment was diminutive but cleverly designed."
noun
1
A shortened or altered form of a word that suggests smallness, youth, or affection, such as "kitty" from "cat".
""Billy" is a common diminutive of "William"."
How to Use Diminutive
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething small, or a shortened, affectionate version of a word or name.
Common pairings
diminutive size
diminutive form
diminutive figure
Word Forms
more diminutive comparative, diminutives plural, most diminutive superlative
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A _____ terrier trotted along beside its owner.
Etymology
From Old French "diminutif", from Latin "dīminūtīvus", based on the past participle of "dīminuere", "to lessen".