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

Don't imagine them only with red mini-dresses and heels or evening looks. —Arancha Gamo, Glamour, 30 Nov. 2025

Christmas Bubble String Lights From the ‘40s to the ‘70s, bubble string lights were commonly used as lighting on Christmas trees before mini and icicle lights became more popular. —Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 30 Nov. 2025

Adjective

Contour face masks, eye brighteners, and neck and décolleté aids are on sale—with savings up to $275 on devices, 20% off on mini devices, and 20% off skin care—no code necessary, just add to cart. —Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 29 Nov. 2025

Cunlin Button-down Shirt Button-downs aren’t just essential for business trips; they can be layered under sweaters for casual wear, paired with mini skirts for a night out, and paired with jeans for an everyday uniform. —Genevieve Cepeda, Travel + Leisure, 29 Nov. 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