miniature
MIH-niht-shuh
Miniature (noun) means a very small version or scale model of something. Example: “The museum displayed a miniature of the entire city.”
noun
1
A very small version or scale model of something.
"The museum displayed a miniature of the entire city."
"He collects miniatures of vintage cars."
"She built a miniature of her school out of cardboard for the science fair."
2
A small, highly detailed painting, especially a portrait.
"The locket contained a miniature of her great-grandmother."
"The gallery owns a rare miniature of a young woman in a blue dress."
"Artists once painted a miniature to give as a keepsake to loved ones."
adj
1
Much smaller than the usual size.
"They keep a miniature poodle as a pet."
"The shop sold miniature teapots small enough to sit on a fingertip."
"Our local park has a miniature railway that carries children around the pond."
How to use miniature
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small-scale version of something, or an adjective meaning tiny.
Common mistake
Despite looking related, "miniature" historically comes from a word for red pigment used in manuscript art, not from "minus" or "minimum."
Common pairings
miniature version
in miniature
miniature model
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Word forms
- Plural
- miniatures
- Third person singular
- miniatures
- Past tense
- miniatured
- Comparative
- more miniature
- Superlative
- most miniature
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The museum displayed a _____ of the entire city.
Etymology
From Italian miniatura, originally referring to the art of illuminating manuscripts with red pigment (from Latin minium, "red lead"). Despite the resemblance, it is not actually related to "minimum" or "minor."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for miniature
See all rhymes for miniature →Frequently asked questions
What does “miniature” mean?
The word “miniature” means a very small version or scale model of something. In plain terms, a small-scale version of something, or an adjective meaning tiny.
How do you pronounce “miniature”?
“Miniature” is pronounced MIH-niht-shuh (/ˈmɪn(i)ət͡ʃʊəɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “miniature” in a sentence?
Here is “miniature” used in a sentence: “The museum displayed a miniature of the entire city.”
What part of speech is “miniature”?
Depending on how it is used, “miniature” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “miniature” come from?
The word “miniature” comes from Latin. From Italian miniatura, originally referring to the art of illuminating manuscripts with red pigment (from Latin minium, "red lead"). Despite the resemblance, it is not actually related to "minimum" or "minor.".
Is “miniature” a common word?
“Miniature” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “miniature” have?
“Miniature” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a very small version or scale model of something.
What is the difference between miniature as a noun and as an adjective?
As a noun, miniature refers to a very small version or scale model of something, or specifically a small, highly detailed painting such as a portrait. As an adjective, miniature describes something that is much smaller than the usual size, as in "a miniature poodle."
What makes a painting a miniature?
A miniature painting is defined by its small size and fine detail, historically often used for portraits meant to be carried or worn. The term refers to the physical scale and craftsmanship of the artwork rather than its subject matter.
Is "miniature" the correct term for a scale model, or should "mini" be used instead?
Miniature is the more formal and precise term for a small-scale version of something, while "mini" is an informal shortened form often used in casual speech or as a prefix, such as "mini-fridge." Both convey smallness, but miniature is preferred in careful or technical writing.
