minutiae

[ mi-noo-shee-ee, mi-noo-shuh, -shee-uh, -nyoo- ]

plural noun

, singular mi·nu·ti·a [mi-, noo, -sh, uh, -shee-, uh, -, nyoo, -].

1. precise details; small or trifling matters:

   the minutiae of his craft.

minutiae

/ mɪˈnjuːʃɪˌiː /

plural noun

1. small, precise, or trifling details

Usage Note

Minutia, the singular form meaning “a precise detail; a small or trifling matter” is much less common than the plural. However, this singular form is often used in place of the plural form minutiae , with the same plural meaning and plural verb: She has a great facility for remembering minutia that are relevant to the conversation. And the plural form minutiae is sometimes used as a collective noun with a singular verb: The minutiae of daily life is the stuff that anchors us and gives us a sense of purpose. Both of these usages have been criticized in style guides.

Other Words From

• mi·nu·ti·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of minutiae¹

First recorded in 1745–55; from Latin, plural of minūtia “smallness, fineness,” equivalent to minūt(us) “small, tiny” + -ia; minute ², -ia

Word History and Origins

Origin of minutiae¹

C18: pl of Late Latin minūtia smallness, from Latin minūtus minute ²

Example Sentences

“He got stuck in the minutiae and sucked into these peripheral things,” said the person, who declined to be named.

From Los Angeles Times

Under Redick, the team and organization has been committed to the kinds of minutiae that he values.

From Los Angeles Times

For example, managers can cherry pick project teams based on individual skillsets, oversee the brief, then hand over to their AI to manage minutiae like deadlines.

From BBC

He resigned from that post about eight months later after finding himself bogged down in bureaucratic minutiae, lacking influence on policy and rarely in direct contact with the globe-trotting secretary of state.

From New York Times

The judge’s decision centered on the minutiae of grand jury procedure in New Mexico, where the defense does not have the right to call witnesses during the presentation of a case.

From New York Times

Related Words

• trivia