diminutive

1 of 2

noun

di·​min·​u·​tive də-ˈmi-nyə-tiv 

1

grammar : a word, affix, or name usually indicating small size : a diminutive (see diminutive entry 2 sense 1) word, affix, or name

2

: one that is notably small : a diminutive individual

diminutive

2 of 2

adjective

1

grammar : indicating small size and sometimes the state or quality of being familiarly known, lovable, pitiable, or contemptible

—used of affixes (such as -ette, -kin, -ling) and of words formed with them (such as kitchenette, manikin, duckling), of clipped forms (such as Jim), and of altered forms (such as Peggy) compare augmentative

2

: exceptionally or notably small : tiny

a diminutive performer

diminutively adverb

diminutiveness noun

Did you know?

Just as diminish means "to grow smaller", diminutive means "very small". When writing about language, diminutive as both an adjective and a noun refers to particular endings and the words made with them to indicate smallness. In English, such endings include -et and -ette (piglet, dinette, cigarette, diskette) as well as -ie and -y (doggy, bootie, Bobby, Debbie). However, diminutives are more common in many other languages. Outside of language, diminutive is used for many things, including people ("She noticed a diminutive figure standing shyly by the door"), but often not very seriously ("We were served some rather diminutive rolls").

Synonyms

Noun

• dwarf
• toy
• midget

Adjective

• small
• little
• tiny
• pocket

Choose the Right Synonym for diminutive

small, little, diminutive, minute, tiny, miniature mean noticeably below average in size.

small and little are often interchangeable, but small applies more to relative size determined by capacity, value, number.

a relatively small backyard

little is more absolute in implication often carrying the idea of petiteness, pettiness, insignificance, or immaturity.

your pathetic little smile

diminutive implies abnormal smallness.

diminutive bonsai plants

minute implies extreme smallness.

a minute amount of caffeine in the soda

tiny is an informal equivalent to minute.

tiny cracks formed in the painting

miniature applies to an exactly proportioned reproduction on a very small scale.

a dollhouse with miniature furnishings

Examples of diminutive in a Sentence

Noun

the diminutives “-ette” and “kitchenette”

dik-diks, the diminutives of the antelope family

Adjective

a radio with a diminutive set of speakers

the diminutive suffixes “-ette” and “-ling”

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

For example, Katie is a diminutive of Katherine and Lisa is a diminutive of Elizabeth. —Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Jan. 2025

Residing on hillside slopes and gently rolling valleys surrounding the stately medieval village of Montalcino, vineyards in the Brunello di Montalcino DOCG are home to a clone of Sangiovese known locally as Brunello, which is a diminutive of the Italian word for brown. —Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 3 Feb. 2025

Adjective

The diminutive Argentine ghosted between defenders, leapt high behind 6ft 2in center back Rio Ferdinand and met the ball with a perfect header, looping it past goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar into the far corner of the net. —Asli Pelit, New York Times, 12 July 2025

There was the diminutive Puck, whose tiny body could hurdle through foes like a bowling ball, and Sasquatch, the scientist Walter Langkowski who transformed into a Hulk-like mythical Great Beast of the North with but a thought. —Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 10 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English diminutif, from Medieval Latin diminutivum, alteration of Late Latin deminutivum, from neuter of deminutivus, adjective, from deminutus, past participle of deminuere "to lessen" — more at diminish

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

diminutive

1 of 2 noun

di·​min·​u·​tive də-ˈmin-yət-iv 

1

: a diminutive word, name, or affix

2

: a diminutive object or individual

diminutive

2 of 2 adjective

1

: indicating small size and sometimes the state or quality of being lovable or pitiful

the diminutive suffixes "-ette" and "-ling"

the diminutive noun "duckling"

2

: extremely small : tiny

diminutively adverb

diminutiveness noun