Diminutive — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun adjective /də-ˈmi-nyə-tiv/ di·min·u·tive

Meaning & Definition of Diminutive

Diminutive (noun)

  1. a word, affix, or name usually indicating small size, a diminutive word, affix, or name
  2. one that is notably small, a diminutive individual

Diminutive (adjective)

  1. 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)
  2. exceptionally or notably small, tiny

Diminutive (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. of a size that is less than average

    "a single diminutive shrub on the edge of the lawn"

    similar: bantam, dinky, dwarfish, fine, half-pint, Lilliputian, little, pint-size, pocket, pocket-size, puny, pygmy, shrimpy, slight, small, smallish, subnormal, toylike, undersized
    related: dwarf, toy, runtish, runty, scrubby, stunted, bitty, inappreciable, infinitesimal, little bitty, micro, microscopic, mini, miniature, miniaturized, minikin, minim, minuscule, minute, pinpoint, teensy, teensy-weensy, teeny, teeny-weeny, tiny, wee, weeny, meager, poor, scant, scanty, scarce, skimp, skimpy, slender, slim, spare, sparse, stingy, deficient, inadequate, insufficient, lacking, wanting, bite-size, capsule
    opposite: big, biggish, considerable, goodly, grand, great, handsome, husky, king-size, large, largish, outsize, overscale, oversize, sizable, substantial, tidy, whacking, whopping
    near: bulky, hefty, hulking, massive, voluminous, boxcar, Brobdingnagian, Bunyanesque, cavernous, colossal, cyclopean, elephantine, enormous, galactic, gargantuan, giant, gigantic, gross, Himalayan, herculean, heroic, huge, humongous, immense, jumbo, leviathan, mammoth, monolithic, monstrous, monumental, mountainous, pharaonic, prodigious, staggering, stupendous, titanic, tremendous, vast, abundant, ample, appreciable, bountiful, copious, generous, healthy, liberal, plenteous, plentiful, fat, thick, broad, wide, boundless, cosmic, immeasurable, incalculable, infinite, adequate, enough, sufficient

Diminutive (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. something (such as an animal) much smaller than others of its kind

    "dik-diks, the diminutives of the antelope family"

    similar: dwarf, midget, mite, peewee, pygmy, runt, scrub
    related: mini, miniature, toy
    opposite: behemoth, colossus, giant, jumbo, leviathan, mammoth, monster, titan
    near: whale, whopper

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Diminutive

The most common words with a similar meaning to Diminutive:

bantam, dinky, dwarfish, fine, half-pint, Lilliputian, little, pint-size, pocket, pocket-size, puny, pygmy, shrimpy, slight, small, smallish, subnormal, toylike, undersized, dwarf, midget, mite, peewee, runt, scrub

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Diminutive

Words with the opposite meaning of Diminutive:

big, biggish, considerable, goodly, grand, great, handsome, husky, king-size, large, largish, outsize, overscale, oversize, sizable, substantial, tidy, whacking, whopping, behemoth, colossus, giant, jumbo, leviathan, mammoth, monster, titan

Related Words for Diminutive

toy, runtish, runty, scrubby, stunted, bitty, inappreciable, infinitesimal, little bitty, micro, microscopic, mini, miniature, miniaturized, minikin, minim, minuscule, minute, pinpoint, teensy, teensy-weensy, teeny, teeny-weeny, tiny, wee, weeny, meager, poor, scant, scanty

Near Antonyms of Diminutive

bulky, hefty, hulking, massive, voluminous, boxcar, Brobdingnagian, Bunyanesque, cavernous, colossal, cyclopean, elephantine, enormous, galactic, gargantuan, gigantic, gross, Himalayan, herculean, heroic, huge, humongous, immense, monolithic, monstrous, monumental, mountainous, pharaonic, prodigious, staggering

Word Forms of Diminutive

Derived words: diminutively (adverb), diminutiveness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Diminutive

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" diminish

First known use: 14th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Diminutive

What does "Diminutive" mean?

"Diminutive" means a word, affix, or name usually indicating small size, a diminutive word, affix, or name. As an a noun and an adjective, it is defined as: a word, affix, or name usually indicating small size, a diminutive word, affix, or name. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Diminutive"?

Other words for "Diminutive" include bantam, dinky, dwarfish, fine, half-pint, Lilliputian, little and pint-size. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Diminutive" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Diminutive"?

There are 70 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Diminutive". Common alternatives include bantam, dinky, dwarfish, fine, half-pint, Lilliputian, little, pint-size, pocket and pocket-size.

What is the opposite of "Diminutive"?

Antonyms of "Diminutive" include big, biggish, considerable, goodly, grand, great, handsome and husky. Near antonyms include bulky, hefty, hulking and massive.

How do you use "Diminutive" in a sentence?

Examples of "Diminutive" in a sentence: "a single diminutive shrub on the edge of the lawn"; "dik-diks, the diminutives of the antelope family".

Is "Diminutive" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Diminutive" can be used as a noun and an adjective, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Diminutive"?

"Diminutive" is pronounced /də-ˈmi-nyə-tiv/ and divided into syllables as di·min·u·tive.

What is the origin of the word "Diminutive"?

"Diminutive" comes from 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" diminish. First known use: 14th century.