adj
Common
mini
MIHN-ee
Mini (adj) means Very small; a miniature version of something. Example: “She bought a mini version of the cake for the tasting.”
adj
1
Very small; a miniature version of something.
"She bought a mini version of the cake for the tasting."
"The hotel left a mini bar of shampoo and soap in the bathroom."
"My nephew loves his mini train set, which fits on a small shelf."
noun
1
A small, iconic car model originally built by BMC in Britain and later by BMW.
"He drives a bright red Mini around the city."
"Parking a mini is easy, because it fits into almost any gap."
"My grandfather restored an old Mini in his garage and drove it to the coast."
How to use mini
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSmall or miniature; also a specific brand of small car.
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Word forms
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She bought a _____ version of the cake for the tasting.
Etymology
Shortened from words built with the prefix "mini-," itself from Latin minimus, "smallest."
Related words
Rhymes for mini
See all rhymes for mini →Frequently asked questions
What does “mini” mean?
The word “mini” means very small; a miniature version of something. In plain terms, small or miniature; also a specific brand of small car.
How do you pronounce “mini”?
“Mini” is pronounced MIHN-ee (/ˈmɪn.i/ in IPA).
How do you use “mini” in a sentence?
Here is “mini” used in a sentence: “She bought a mini version of the cake for the tasting.”
What part of speech is “mini”?
Depending on how it is used, “mini” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “mini” come from?
The word “mini” comes from Latin. Shortened from words built with the prefix "mini-," itself from Latin minimus, "smallest.".
Is “mini” a common word?
“Mini” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “mini” have?
“Mini” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: very small; a miniature version of something.
What is the difference between mini and micro?
Both mean small, but they mark different degrees. Mini means smaller than the standard version — noticeably compact but still normal in kind, like a mini fridge. Micro means extremely small, far tinier than mini, often at a scale that is hard to see, like a microchip. Micro is the more extreme of the two.
What does the prefix 'mini-' mean?
The prefix 'mini-' means small or miniature, and it attaches to other words to create a smaller version of them. It gives us everyday terms like miniskirt, minibus, minibar, mini-series and mini-break. Short for 'miniature,' it has become one of the most productive size prefixes in modern English.
What is the opposite of mini?
The opposite depends on context, but common contrasts include maxi, mega, giant, jumbo and full-size. A miniskirt contrasts with a maxi skirt, a mini portion with a mega or jumbo one, and a mini version of a product with its full-size original. All signal large where mini signals small.
What is an example of mini?
The word appears constantly in compounds: a miniskirt, a minivan, a mini fridge, a mini golf course or a mini version of a phone. In each case 'mini' marks a smaller, more compact form of a familiar full-size thing, whether an object, a garment or an activity.
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