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Synonyms

mini

1 American  
[min-ee] / ˈmɪn i /

noun

  1. miniskirt.

  2. a minicomputer.

  3. anything of a small, reduced, or miniature size.

adjective

  1. of the length of a miniskirt.

mini- 2 American  

  1. 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 ).

mini 1 British  
/ ˈmɪnɪ /

adjective

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

  2. (prenominal) small; miniature

"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

noun

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

"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
mini- 2 British  

combining form

  1. smaller or shorter than the standard size

    minibus

    miniskirt
"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

Usage

What does mini- mean? Mini- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “small,” "limited," or "short." It is often used in a variety of everyday and technical terms, especially in fashion. Mini- comes from a shortening of the terms miniature, minimal, or minimum, all expressing small size or a low limit. Minimum comes from Latin minimus, meaning "smallest" or "least." Related to this root is Latin minor, meaning “smaller,” which was borrowed into English as minor, meaning “lesser in size.” Find out more at our entry for each word.

Etymology

Origin of mini1

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

Origin of mini-2

By shortening of miniature, minimal, or minimum

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Howell got to know Clooney himself on the set of the 2019 World War Two mini series Catch-22 and said he was "charming, full of anecdotes, a lovely man and a great actor".

From BBC • Apr. 18, 2026

A seven-year-old who wanted her own mini community library for her birthday has enjoyed watching its success.

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026

I’ve compiled a list of fun mini adventures that you can start early-ish.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 6, 2026

And a residency—even a mini one—limits some of the grueling physical aspects of touring as well.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

“I would never get mad about mini golf.”

From "Shouting at the Rain" by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.