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diminutive
[ dih-min-yuh-tiv ]
/ dÉȘËmÉȘn yÉ tÉȘv /
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This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
adjective
small; little; tiny: a diminutive building for a model-train layout.
Grammar. pertaining to or productive of a form denoting smallness, familiarity, affection, or triviality, as the suffix -let, in droplet from drop.
noun
a small thing or person.
Grammar. a diminutive element or formation.
Heraldry. a charge, as an ordinary, smaller in length or breadth than the usual.
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In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known asâŠ
Origin of diminutive
First recorded before 1350â1400; Middle English, from Medieval Latin dÄ«minĆ«tÄ«vus, equivalent to Latin dÄ«minĆ«t(us) âlessenedâ (for dÄminĆ«tus ) + -Ä«vus adjective suffix; see diminution,-ive
synonym study for diminutive
1. See little.
OTHER WORDS FROM diminutive
di·min·u·tive·ly, adverbdi·min·u·tive·ness, nounWords nearby diminutive
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use diminutive in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for diminutive
diminutive
/ (dÉȘËmÉȘnjÊtÉȘv) /
adjective
very small; tiny
grammar
- denoting an affix added to a word to convey the meaning small or unimportant or to express affection, as for example the suffix -ette in French
- denoting a word formed by the addition of a diminutive affix
noun
grammar a diminutive word or affix
a tiny person or thing
Compare (for senses 2, 3): augmentative
Derived forms of diminutive
diminutival (dÉȘËmÉȘnjÊËtaÉȘvÉl), adjectivediminutively, adverbdiminutiveness, nounCollins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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