mins
Mins (noun) means an informal short form of "minutes", used especially for units of time or angle. Example: “The recipe says to simmer for 15 mins.”
How to use mins
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishJust a casual, shortened way of writing "minutes".
Informal — fine for texts, notes, and recipes, but write out "minutes" in formal writing.
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The recipe says to simmer for 15 _____.
Rhymes for mins
See all rhymes for mins →Frequently asked questions
What does “mins” mean?
The word “mins” means an informal short form of "minutes", used especially for units of time or angle. In plain terms, just a casual, shortened way of writing "minutes".
How do you use “mins” in a sentence?
Here is “mins” used in a sentence: “The recipe says to simmer for 15 mins.”
What part of speech is “mins”?
“Mins” is a noun.
Is “mins” a common word?
“Mins” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between "mins" and "minutes"?
They mean the same thing; "mins" is just an informal short form of "minutes." "Minutes" is the full word used in careful writing, while "mins" appears in casual notes, texts, and recipes, as in "bake for 20 mins."
Should you abbreviate minutes as "min" or "mins"?
Both are used. The scientific and technical abbreviation is "min," which stays the same for singular and plural, while "mins" is an informal everyday plural that adds an "s," as in "back in 5 mins."
Is "mins" appropriate in formal writing?
No. "Mins" is informal and best kept for texts, chat, and quick notes. In formal or professional writing, spell out "minutes" in full.
Besides time, what else can "mins" refer to?
"Mins" can also stand for minutes of angle, a unit used in measuring angles and coordinates, where one degree is divided into 60 minutes. The time meaning is far more common in everyday use.