diminutive

1 of 2

noun

di·min·u·tive də-ˈmi-nyə-tiv

grammar : a word, affix, or name usually indicating small size : a diminutive (see diminutive entry 2 sense 1) word, affix, or name

: one that is notably small : a diminutive individual

diminutive

2 of 2

adjective

grammar : indicating small size and sometimes the state or quality of being familiarly known, lovable, pitiable, or contemptible

—used of affixes (such as -ette, -kin, -ling) and of words formed with them (such as kitchenette, manikin, duckling), of clipped forms (such as Jim), and of altered forms (such as Peggy) compare augmentative

: exceptionally or notably small : tiny

a diminutive performer

diminutively adverb

diminutiveness noun

Did you know?

Just as diminish means "to grow smaller", diminutive means "very small". When writing about language, diminutive as both an adjective and a noun refers to particular endings and the words made with them to indicate smallness. In English, such endings include -et and -ette (piglet, dinette, cigarette, diskette) as well as -ie and -y (doggy, bootie, Bobby, Debbie). However, diminutives are more common in many other languages. Outside of language, diminutive is used for many things, including people ("She noticed a diminutive figure standing shyly by the door"), but often not very seriously ("We were served some rather diminutive rolls").

Choose the Right Synonym for diminutive

small, little, diminutive, minute, tiny, miniature mean noticeably below average in size.

small and little are often interchangeable, but small applies more to relative size determined by capacity, value, number.

a relatively small backyard

little is more absolute in implication often carrying the idea of petiteness, pettiness, insignificance, or immaturity.

your pathetic little smile

diminutive implies abnormal smallness.

diminutive bonsai plants

minute implies extreme smallness.

a minute amount of caffeine in the soda

tiny is an informal equivalent to minute.

tiny cracks formed in the painting

miniature applies to an exactly proportioned reproduction on a very small scale.

a dollhouse with miniature furnishings

Example Sentences

Noun the diminutives “-ette” and “kitchenette” dik-diks, the diminutives of the antelope family Adjective a radio with a diminutive set of speakers the diminutive suffixes “-ette” and “-ling”

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Three kid contestants battle it out in each episode to make mini dishes that pack real flavor and showcase their flair for the diminutive.

Todd Spangler, Variety, 13 May 2022 Young Gerd, a common diminutive for Gerhard, found inspiration when the underdog West German team beat Hungary, at the time the world’s greatest team, to win the 1954 World Cup final.

Washington Post, 17 Aug. 2021 The blushy pink bonhomie that infuses every aspect of the Little Em’s experience transforms cuteness from a condescending diminutive into something that’s aspirational and inspirational.

Mike Sutter, San Antonio Express-News, 24 June 2021 But miraculously, nobody calls Baby Frank by a diminutive.

Molly Young, Vulture, 9 Apr. 2021 Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a diminutive yet towering women’s rights champion who became the court’s second female justice, died Friday at her home in Washington.

Mark Sherman, Fortune, 18 Sep. 2020 Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a diminutive yet towering women's rights champion died Friday at her home in Washington.

Star Tribune, 18 Sep. 2020 Spring tends to feature the diminutive, the small-statured and the vertically challenged.

Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 7 Aug. 2020 Still, or perhaps because of that, the servers are open-handed with diminutives — sweetheart, dear, friend.

Soleil Ho, SFChronicle.com, 27 Dec. 2019

Adjective

That certainly benefits from the Maverick’s diminutive profile.

Matt Crisara, Popular Mechanics, 15 Nov. 2022 And this diminutive Giulietta SZ Coda Tronca, offered by Gooding & Company, is surely one of the loveliest jewels to come out of that collaboration.

Robert Ross, Robb Report, 14 Nov. 2022 But the selection of the speedy but diminutive Atwell shocked many.

Los Angeles Times, 10 Nov. 2022 With travelers continuing to seek intimate experiences as the world reopens, diminutive properties that crib on the craftsmanship of European inns, Italian agriturismos, and Japanese ryokans are poised for their moment.

Krista Simmons, Sunset Magazine, 8 Nov. 2022 The provocative stainless-steel sculpture depicts Chairman Mao as a diminutive Miss Mao balancing on the head of Vladimir Lenin.

Stephen Sorace, Fox News, 7 Nov. 2022 But Timmy—his diminutive name is revealing—is in other ways distinctly youthful.

Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 3 Nov. 2022 On his more rap-leaning tracks, Blake’s shtick is to be innocuous-seeming, like the most diminutive guy in a friend group, all while remaining playfully cocky.

Jayson Buford, Rolling Stone, 3 Nov. 2022 Their deal with the Indianapolis Colts for speed back and returner Nyheim Hines is a nice consolation ... even if the explosive but diminutive Hines is a situational player who can only handle so many touches.

Nate Davis, USA TODAY, 1 Nov. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'diminutive.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English diminutif, from Medieval Latin diminutivum, alteration of Late Latin deminutivum, from neuter of deminutivus, adjective, from deminutus, past participle of deminuere "to lessen" — more at diminish

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of diminutive was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century