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diminutive

di·min·u·tive
D d

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [dih-min-yuh-tiv]
    • /dɪˈmɪn yə tɪv/
    • /dɪˈmɪn.jʊ.tɪv/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [dih-min-yuh-tiv]
    • /dɪˈmɪn yə tɪv/

Definitions of diminutive word

  • adjective diminutive small; little; tiny: a diminutive building for a model-train layout. 1
  • adjective diminutive Grammar. pertaining to or productive of a form denoting smallness, familiarity, affection, or triviality, as the suffix -let, in droplet from drop. 1
  • noun diminutive a small thing or person. 1
  • noun diminutive Grammar. a diminutive element or formation. 1
  • noun diminutive Heraldry. a charge, as an ordinary, smaller in length or breadth than the usual. 1
  • noun diminutive Extremely or unusually small. 1

Information block about the term

Origin of diminutive

First appearance:

before 1350
One of the 20% oldest English words
1350-1400; Middle English < Medieval Latin dīminūtīvus, equivalent to Latin dīminūt(us) lessened (for dēminūtus; see diminution) + -īvus -ive

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Diminutive

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

diminutive popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 83% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
This word is included in each student's vocabulary. Most likely there is at least one movie with this word in the title.

diminutive usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for diminutive

adj diminutive

  • miniature — a representation or image of something on a small or reduced scale.
  • little — small in size; not big; not large; tiny: a little desk in the corner of the room.
  • wee — little; very small.
  • bantam — A bantam is a breed of small chicken.
  • button — Buttons are small hard objects sewn on to shirts, coats, or other pieces of clothing. You fasten the clothing by pushing the buttons through holes called buttonholes.

noun diminutive

  • nickname — a name added to or substituted for the proper name of a person, place, etc., as in affection, ridicule, or familiarity: He has always loathed his nickname of “Whizzer.”.
  • hypocoristic — endearing, as a pet name, diminutive, or euphemism.
  • pet name — a name or a term of address used to express affection for a person, thing, etc.

adjective diminutive

  • tiny — very small; minute; wee.
  • minuscule — very small.
  • pocket-size — small enough to fit conveniently into one's pocket.
  • pint-size — comparatively small in size: a pint-size typewriter.
  • petite — (of a woman) short and having a small, trim figure; diminutive.

Antonyms for diminutive

adj diminutive

  • giant — (in folklore) a being with human form but superhuman size, strength, etc.
  • huge — extraordinarily large in bulk, quantity, or extent: a huge ship; a huge portion of ice cream.
  • immense — vast; huge; very great: an immense territory.
  • large — of more than average size, quantity, degree, etc.; exceeding that which is common to a kind or class; big; great: a large house; a large number; in large measure; to a large extent.
  • big — A big person or thing is large in physical size.

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See also

Matching words

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