mini

[min-ee]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR mini ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

miniskirt.

a minicomputer.

anything of a small, reduced, or miniature size.

adjective

of the length of a miniskirt.

Origin of mini

independent use of mini-, or by shortening of words with mini- as initial element

mini-

a combining form with the meanings “of a small or reduced size in comparison with others of its kind” (minicalculator; minicar; minigun); “limited in scope, intensity, or duration” (miniboom; minicourse; minirecession); (of clothing) “short, not reaching the knee” (minidress; miniskirt).

Origin of mini-

by shortening of miniature, minimal, or minimum

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for mini

scant, insufficient, slight, meager, limited, small, mini, poor, short, paltry, young, miniature, modest, cramped, microscopic, narrow, minuscule, small-scale, insignificant, teeny

Examples from the Web for mini

Contemporary Examples of mini

Elle magazine shot an editorial in September, one picture revealing a teacup pig sitting pretty by a mini Tyler Alexandra bag.
Handbags: The More You Pay, The Smaller They Shrink
Elizabeth Landers
December 29, 2014
Restaurant described latkes as “Mini hash browns,” which he thinks is why they are so universally beloved.
I Ate Potato Pancakes Til I Plotzed
Emily Shire
December 17, 2014
She is smiling, a pink-striped hat on her head and a mini rainbow lollipop sticking out of her mouth.
Even Grade School Kids Are Protesting the Garner Killing Now
Caitlin Dickson
December 6, 2014
With this mini printer, you can print your favorite shots straight from your iPhone.
The Daily Beast’s 2014 Holiday Gift Guide: For the Taylor Swift in Your Life
Allison McNearney
November 29, 2014
The mini- Monet, as many have come to know him, had his first solo exhibition shortly after.
Blessed or Cursed? Child Prodigies Reveal All
Justin Jones
November 17, 2014

Historical Examples of mini

But Mini did not cry; he had known so many things so much sadder.
Old Man Savarin and Other Stories
Edward William Thomson
They said she would be very like Mini, and there was reason why in her wretched infancy.
Old Man Savarin and Other Stories
Edward William Thomson
And I, thinking that Mini must get rid of her false fear, had her brought out.
The Hungry Stones And Other Stories
Rabindranath Tagore
It was once more autumn and we had made arrangements for our Mini's marriage.
The Hungry Stones And Other Stories
Rabindranath Tagore
So I got a mini tape recorder and I started to tape her when she gave me permission.
Makers
Cory Doctorow

British Dictionary definitions for mini

mini

adjective

(of a woman's dress, skirt, etc) very short; thigh-length

(prenominal) small; miniature

noun plural minis

something very small of its kind, esp a small car or a miniskirt

mini-

combining form

smaller or shorter than the standard sizeminibus; miniskirt

Word Origin for mini-

C20: from miniature and minimum

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for mini

1961, abbreviation of mini-car, a small car made by British Leyland (formerly British Motor Corp.). As an abbreviation of miniskirt, it is attested from 1966. The vogue for mini- as a prefix in English word coinage dates from c.1960.

mini-

word-forming element meaning "miniature, minor," abstracted from miniature, with sense perhaps influenced by minimum.

mini in Medicine

mini-

pref.

Small; miniature:minilaparotomy.