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

Local touches were everywhere, from an extensive collection of books ranging from South African chick-lit to memoirs of Nelson Mandela, Trevor Noah, and Siya Kolisi to a mini-bar stocked with gin, rum, and brandy made with Cape Fynbos plants. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 June 2026

There were two more railroad mini-booms, in 1881 and again in 1893, both followed by busts. —Fortune, 2 June 2026

Adjective

Enjoy tapas like mini cornetos de atun, crispy cones of tuna tartare and orange escabeche; or ensalada de patata, a Dungeness crab and potato salad with trout roe, piquillo peppers and olives for an elevated surf and turf lunch or dinner for dad. —Laura Ness, Mercury News, 9 June 2026

What do the three garments—an A-line mini dress, gathered skirt and boxy top—that make up Eileen Fisher’s forthcoming collection have in common? —Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 9 June 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
• spline
• swinney
• tinny
• whinny

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