adjective
diminutive
dih-MIHN-yuh-tihv
Diminutive (adjective) means Very small in size. Example: “A diminutive terrier trotted along beside its owner.”
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
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Word forms
- Plural
- diminutives
- Comparative
- more diminutive
- Superlative
- most diminutive
Fill the gap
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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".
Related words
Rhymes for diminutive
See all rhymes for 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.
