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 red-and-white print on this mini is giving Cape Cod meets countryside picnic. —Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 29 June 2025

Large black and white polka dots took form in crochet mini dresses and matching two-piece sets at Herrera, offering a range of laidback summer style to sophisticated cocktail attire that’ll replace your go-to LBD. —Lauren Alexis Fisher, Footwear News, 25 June 2025

Adjective

New in select theaters on streaming on premium video on demand, Off the Grid stars Duhamel as Guy, a brilliant scientist hiding out in the wild from a megalomaniac employer who wants to weaponize his mini cold fusion reactor for nefarious purposes. —Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025

Zooming in on the image, however, I was struck less by what Allen was up to—innocently snapping photos on the festival grounds—than what loomed behind her: an array of Native American-style tipis, forming a mini village just a stone’s throw away from the main stages. —Christian Allaire, Vogue, 30 June 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