diminutive

American  

[dih-min-yuh-tiv] / dɪˈmɪn yə tɪv /

adjective

1. small; little; tiny.

   a diminutive building for a model-train layout.

2. Grammar. pertaining to or productive of a form denoting smallness, familiarity, affection, or triviality, as the suffix -let, in droplet from drop.

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noun

1. a small thing or person.

2. Grammar. a diminutive element or formation.

3. Heraldry. a charge, as an ordinary, smaller in length or breadth than the usual.

diminutive British  

/ dɪˌmɪnjʊˈtaɪvəl, dɪˈmɪnjʊtɪv /

adjective

1. very small; tiny

2. grammar

   1. denoting an affix added to a word to convey the meaning small or unimportant or to express affection, as for example the suffix -ette in French

   2. denoting a word formed by the addition of a diminutive affix

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noun

1. grammar a diminutive word or affix

2. a tiny person or thing

Related Words

See little.

Other Word Forms

• diminutival adjective
• diminutively adverb
• diminutiveness noun

Etymology

Origin of diminutive

First recorded before 1350–1400; Middle English, from Medieval Latin dīminūtīvus, equivalent to Latin dīminūt(us) “lessened” (for dēminūtus ) + -īvus adjective suffix; diminution, -ive

Example Sentences

Every ball that was thrown or hit in that direction smacked right into the glove of the varsity squad’s diminutive second baseman.

From Washington Post

Despite all the mockery, there have been many loving homages to the diminutive yard fixtures.

From Washington Post

UC Davis is currently preparing to take a diminutive cousin of the delta smelt into captivity, the state threatened longfin smelt.

From Los Angeles Times

As it ripens on the vine, this diminutive tomato resembles dangling earrings.

From Salon

She noticed an emphasis being placed on the three-point shot, realizing that area of the floor is no longer reserved for the diminutive.

From Washington Post

Related Words

• little
• mini
• miniature
• minuscule
• minute
• petite
• small
• tiny