de minimis

American  

[duh min-uh-mis, dey] / də ˈmɪn ə mɪs, deɪ /

1. pertaining to minimal or trivial things; small, minor, or insignificant; negligible.

   De minimis gifts to employees are not subject to taxation.

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Usage

What does de minimis mean? De minimis means so small or inconsequential as to not be worthy of attention. De minimis is typically used in a legal context in regard to things that are not important or significant enough to be bound by rules or regulations. It is often used in phrases like de minimis rule or de minimis exemption. Like many other technical legal terms, de minimis comes from Latin. Example: Amounts that low are considered de minimis, so they don’t need to be reported as taxable income.

Etymology

Origin of de minimis

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

All but the litter charges were thrown out, and even that was deemed de minimis.

From Slate • Mar. 25, 2026

“The ability to use de minimis is not part of the equation here. The only part of the equation is the Ieepa tariffs,” Rosenzweig said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 23, 2026

The end of the de minimis exemption exposed millions of packages to tariffs as well as more-extensive documentation requirements.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 26, 2025

The "de minimis" loophole allows overseas retailers to send goods to the UK worth up to £135 without incurring customs duty.

From BBC • Nov. 26, 2025

He whirled and came back open-mouthed, and the little boy and big basket had to whisk semicircularly not to be run down, for de minimis non curat Medicina-even when not in a rage.

From The Cloister and the Hearth by Reade, Charles