de minimis

adjective

de min·​i·​mis dē-ˈmi-nə-məs 

dā-ˈmē-ni-mis

: lacking significance or importance : so minor as to merit disregard

de minimis fringe benefits

what amounts to a de minimis tax increase

Did you know?

Proponents of readable prose over jargon and legalese might argue that the last thing 20th-century American jurisprudence needed was another Latin term. Yet here we have a legal term that entered English only around 1950. Perhaps we should clarify: the legal doctrine of de minimis non curat lex ("the law does not concern itself with trifling matters") has been around for a while, but use of de minimis on its own is relatively recent. At first, the shortened phrase was simply used to refer to the legal doctrine itself ("the de minimis rule"). Then it came to be used more broadly as an adjective ("de minimis contacts with the defendant"). Finally, de minimis leaked out of the courtroom and into the world at large.

Synonyms

• slight
• nominal
• insignificant
• petty
• trivial

Examples of de minimis in a Sentence

investors disappointed by stock dividends that were decidedly de minimis

Recent Examples on the Web

Upping the duty rate on low-value parcels is likely to impact low-cost e-commerce players, like Shein and Temu, both of which have already seen significant changes to their ability to operate without duties in the U.S. market because of the collapse of the de minimis exemption. —Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 4 Aug. 2025

In total, over the last fiscal year, CBP said 1.36 billion packages came to the United States under the de minimis exemption. —Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2025

Trump has also cracked down on what was known as the de minimis exemption, which exempted small shipments valued at $800 or less from customs duties and declarations. —Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 1 Aug. 2025

Ending the de minimis exemption will disproportionately affect items like clothing, small electronics, and other hobbyist products and accessories, including those shipped directly to consumers. —Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 1 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, concerning trifles

First Known Use

1905, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for de minimis

• minimus

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Legal Definition

de minimis

adjective

de min·​i·​mis dē-ˈmi-nə-məs, dā-ˈmē-ni-mis 

: lacking significance or importance : so minor as to be disregarded compare substantial

Note: An action may be dismissed if the claim or cause is considered de minimis.

Etymology

New Latin, concerning trifles