Meaning & Definition of word "Diminutive"
Diminutive
/dɪˈmɪn.jʊ.tɪv/
noun:
- 1. A word that is formed with a diminutive suffix.
- Example: In Spanish, 'gatito' is a diminutive of 'gato', meaning 'little cat'.
- 2. A person or thing that is notably small.
- Example: Despite his diminutive stature, he was a formidable opponent on the soccer field.
adjective:
- 1. Extremely or unusually small.
- Example: The diminutive puppy fit snugly in the palm of her hand.
- 2. Denoting a form of a word that indicates small size or expresses a slight degree of something.
- Example: In linguistics, the suffix '-ette' can be used to create a diminutive form of a word.
Etymology
●Middle English, from Latin 'diminutivus', from 'diminut-', the past participle of 'diminere' meaning to lessen.
Common Phrases and Expressions
diminutive stature:
Refers to a person's small physical height or size.
diminutive form:
A grammatical form indicating smallness.
in a diminutive way:
In a manner that makes something seem less important or significant.
Related Words
minuscule:
Extremely small; tiny.
compact:
Closely and neatly packed together.
petite:
Small and slender, often used to describe women or clothing.
Slang Meanings of diminutive
Meaning: Shorty
● Example Sentence: He's the shorty of the group, but he has a big personality.
Meaning: Little guy
● Example Sentence: Come on, little guy, let's see if you can climb that hill.