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

The pop icon revealed on her Instagram that some of her clothing went missing after her performance at Coachella with her mini-me, Sabrina Carpenter. —Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 21 Apr. 2026

How about the little things, like mini bar, or shower goodies. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Apr. 2026

Adjective

Swift contrasted her blue and white dress with a mini Lady Dior bag. —Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026

The magenta off-the-shoulder mini dress, with a bubble-like top and sweeping back train, was courtesy of Balenciaga designer Pierpaolo Piccioli’s spring 2026 collection. —Christian Allaire, Vogue, 28 Apr. 2026

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