minute

1 of 2

adjective

mi·​nute mī-ˈnüt 

mə-, 

-ˈnyüt

minuter; minutest

1

: very small : infinitesimal

2

: of small importance : trifling

3

: marked by close attention to details

minuteness noun

minuteness

2 of 2

noun

mi·​nute·​ness

pronunciation at 3minute +nə̇s

plural -es

: the quality or state of being minute:

a

: attention to or extreme precision in small details

that he would peruse with minuteness and attention

—F. M. Ford

b

: extreme smallness (as in size or degree)

the minuteness of the parts formed a great hindrance to my speed

—Mary W. Shelley

Synonyms of minute

Adjective

• detailed
• full
• thorough

Choose the Right Synonym for minute

small, little, diminutive, minute, tiny, miniature mean noticeably below average in size.

small and little are often interchangeable, but small applies more to relative size determined by capacity, value, number.

a relatively small backyard

little is more absolute in implication often carrying the idea of petiteness, pettiness, insignificance, or immaturity.

your pathetic little smile

diminutive implies abnormal smallness.

diminutive bonsai plants

minute implies extreme smallness.

a minute amount of caffeine in the soda

tiny is an informal equivalent to minute.

tiny cracks formed in the painting

miniature applies to an exactly proportioned reproduction on a very small scale.

a dollhouse with miniature furnishings

circumstantial, minute, particular, detailed mean dealing with a matter fully and usually point by point.

circumstantial implies fullness of detail that fixes something described in time and space.

a circumstantial account of our visit

minute implies close and searching attention to the smallest details.

a minute examination of a fossil

particular implies a precise attention to every detail.

a particular description of the scene of the crime

detailed stresses abundance or completeness of detail.

a detailed analysis of the event

Examples of minute in a Sentence

Adjective

There were minute particles of dust in the air.

The test detected minute amounts of contamination.

The equipment is able to detect the minutest errors.

She told him what happened in minute detail.

a minute examination of the evidence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

In a sea of important tourbillons at Watches and Wonders this year, minute repeaters and striking watches made a musical statement of their own. —Carol Besler, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026

According to the National Park Service, about 80 percent of visitors to Yosemite never venture beyond Yosemite Valley, which makes up a minute percentage of this 1,190-square-mile park. —Matt Bell, AFAR Media, 19 May 2026

Having seen it on TV before, with its repetitive visuals—every athlete in black spandex, performing the same tasks with minute variations—this seemed dubious. —Dan Greene, New Yorker, 18 May 2026

And Corona del Mar’s Sofia Szymanowski joined the sub-minute club in the girls breaststroke. —Dan Albano, Oc Register, 10 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin minutus

First Known Use

Adjective

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing minute

• a laugh a minute
• a mile a minute
• any minute
• arc minute
• at a moment's/minute's notice
• (at) any minute (now)
• from minute to minute
• from one minute to the next
• half a minute/second
• have a minute/moment/second
• hold/hang on a minute
• in a minute
• in a New York minute
• just a minute/second/moment
• just this minute/second
• last minute
• minute by minute
• minute hand
• minute steak
• New York minute
• not for a minute
• not for a/one minute
• not for one minute
• on a moment's/minute's notice
• sidereal minute
• the last minute
• the minute
• there's a sucker born every minute
• there's one born every minute
• this minute
• to the minute
• up-to-the-minute
• wait a minute/moment/second
• wait/just a minute

Rhymes for minute

• linnet
• pinnate
• pinot

Kids Definition

minute

1 of 2 noun

min·​ute ˈmin-ət 

1

a

: the 60th part of an hour of time

b

: the 60th part of a degree of angular measure

2

: the distance one can cover in a minute

3

: moment sense 1

4

plural : a brief record of what went on in a meeting

minute

2 of 2 adjective

mi·​nute

mī-ˈn(y)üt, 

mə-

1

: very small : tiny

2

: of small importance : petty

3

: marked by close attention to details

minutely adverb

minuteness noun

Etymology

Noun

Middle English minute "1/60 part of an hour," from early French minute (same meaning), from Latin minuta (same meaning), from minutus "small" — related to menu see Word History at menu

Medical Definition

minute

noun

min·​ute ˈmin-ət 

: a 60th part of an hour of time or of a degree

Legal Definition

minute

noun

min·​ute ˈmi-nət 

1

: a brief note (as of summary or recommendation)

2

: memorandum sense 1

3

plural : the official record of the proceedings of a meeting or court