minuscule

1 of 2

adjective

mi·​nus·​cule ˈmi-nə-ˌskyül 

also mi-ˈnə-

1

: very small

minuscule amounts

2

: written in or in the size or style of minuscules

minuscule

2 of 2

noun

1

: a lowercase letter

2

a

: one of several ancient and medieval writing styles developed from cursive and having simplified and small forms

b

: a letter in this style

Did you know?

Minuscule comes from the Latin adjective minusculus ("somewhat smaller" or "fairly small"), which in turn pairs the base of minus ("smaller") with -culus, a diminutive suffix (that is, one indicating small size). The minuscule spelling is consistent with the word’s etymology, but that didn’t stop English speakers from adopting the variant spelling miniscule, likely because they associated it with the combining form mini- and such words as minimal and minimum. Usage commentators generally consider the miniscule spelling an error, but it is widely used in reputable and carefully edited publications, and is accepted as a legitimate variant in some dictionaries. (Our own dictionary identifies miniscule as a "disputed spelling variant.")

Synonyms of minuscule

Adjective

• tiny
• microscopic

Examples of minuscule in a Sentence

Adjective

public health officials have claimed that the chemical is harmless in such minuscule amounts

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Their job is to reduce the world to a series of numbers that can be punched into increasingly complex statistical equations and published in esoteric journals with high barriers to entry and minuscule readerships. — Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026

Divine power is behind even our minuscule – yet distinctive – expressions of God’s presence. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 22 Sep. 2026

But the one that started it all, back in 1995, had a tiny budget, a minuscule crew and a first-time director — and may still be the form’s iconic best. — Merle Ginsberg, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026

The difference between either posture is likely to be minuscule, with Chairman Kevin Warsh left to take a side and persuade his fellow officials. — Jeff Cox, CNBC, 8 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

borrowed from French & New Latin; French, "lower case (of a letter)," borrowed from New Latin minusculus, going back to Latin, "somewhat smaller, fairly small," from the base of minor, minus "smaller" (comparative of parvus "small") + -culus, diminutive suffix — more at minor entry 1

Noun

borrowed from French & New Latin; French, borrowed from New Latin minuscula (short for littera minuscula "smaller letter"), from feminine of Latin minusculus "somewhat smaller" — more at minuscule entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1703, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

1701, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for minuscule

• molecule
• overrule
• poiseuille
• reticule
• ridicule
• vestibule
• ampoule
• bascule
• carpool
• cesspool
• ferrule
• footstool

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Kids Definition

minuscule

adjective

mi·​nus·​cule

ˈmi-nəs-ˌkyül

: very small

minuscule amounts