minor

¹mi·nor

adjective \ˈmī-nər\

Definition of MINOR

1

: inferior in importance, size, or degree : comparatively unimportant

2

: not having reached majority

3

a : having half steps between the second and third, the fifth and sixth, and sometimes the seventh and eighth degrees <minor scale>

b : based on a minor scale <minor key>

c : less by a semitone than the corresponding major interval <minor third>

d : having a minor third above the root <minor triad>

4

: not serious or involving risk to life <minor illness>

5

: of or relating to an academic subject requiring fewer courses than a major

Examples of MINOR

1. Her role in the project was minor.
2. I'm not worried about minor details.
3. The grant covered only a minor part of the cost.
4. The delay will be minor.
5. He suffered a minor heart attack.

Origin of MINOR

Latin, smaller, inferior; akin to Old High German minniro smaller, Latin minuere to lessen

First Known Use: 1526

Related to MINOR

Synonyms

inferior, junior, less, lower, lesser, smaller, subordinate

Antonyms

greater, higher, major, more, primary, prime, senior, superior, superordinate

Related Words

little, mean, small; minute, petty; jerkwater, one-horse, second-class, second-rate, two-bit; associate, auxiliary, secondary, subsidiary

Near Antonyms

choice, exceptional, first-class, first-rate

Rhymes with MINOR

briner, diner, liner, miner, Reiner, shiner, Shriner, signer, twiner, whiner

²minor

noun

Definition of MINOR

1

: a person who is not yet old enough to have the rights of an adult

2

: a minor musical interval, scale, key, or mode

3

a : a minor academic subject

b : a student taking a specified minor

4

: a determinant or matrix obtained from a given determinant or matrix by eliminating the row and column in which a given element lies

5

plural : minor league baseball —used with the

Examples of MINOR

1. families with children who are still minors
2. The nightclub was shut down for selling alcohol to a minor.
3. She majored in chemistry with a minor in biology.

First Known Use of MINOR

1612

Other Education Terms

baccalaureate, colloquium, corequisite, dissertation, monograph, pedant, practicum, survey course, thesis

³minor

intransitive verb

Definition of MINOR

: to take courses in a minor subject

First Known Use of MINOR

1926

Other Education Terms

baccalaureate, colloquium, corequisite, dissertation, monograph, pedant, practicum, survey course, thesis