mini

1 of 3

noun

ˈmi-nē 

plural minis

: something small of its kind: such as

a

: minicar

b

: miniskirt

c

: minicomputer

mini

2 of 3

adjective

1

: small in relation to others of the same kind

2

: of short length or duration : brief

mini-

3 of 3

combining form

: smaller or briefer than usual, normal, or standard

minicourse

minibus

Examples of mini in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Looking for a free mini puzzle? —Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2025

Plus, there are 14 buildable droids and nine mini builds to create Babu Frik's workshop. —Mia Huelsbeck, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025

Adjective

Zesica Front-Tie Mini Dress with Puff Long Sleeves From its flirty tie-front design and cinched waistline to its puffy long sleeves, this mini dress will make a style statement this fall. —Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025

McNeeley’s hurl to home wasn’t all that bad, representing yet another mini victory of sorts for the 19-year-old Texas native. —Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 6 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

mini-

Combining form

miniature

First Known Use

Noun

1960, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1963, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing mini

• mini-mart
• mini pill
• mini-stroke

Rhymes for mini

• finny
• ginny
• jinny
• minnie
• ninny
• pinnae
• skinny
• spinney
• swinney
• tinny
• whinny
• winnie

Kids Definition

mini

1 of 2 noun

ˈmin-ē

: something small of its kind: as

a

: miniskirt

b

: minicomputer

mini-

2 of 2 combining form

: very small or short : miniature

minibike

miniskirt

Etymology

Combining form

derived by shortening from miniature