mini
noun
Jump To:
-
mini
-
mini-
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 ).
mini
1 American
[min-ee]
/ ˈmɪn i /
adjective
mini-
2
American
mini
1
British
/ ˈmɪnɪ /
adjective
-
(of a woman's dress, skirt, etc) very short; thigh-length
-
(prenominal) small; miniature
noun
mini-
2
British
combining form
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.
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of mini1
Independent use of mini-, or by shortening of words with mini- as initial element
Origin of mini-2
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.
See Examples For:
In her 25 years on the job, this was the first time Stolarz had heard of people using the riverfront for mini concerts.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 13, 2026
Because the system was completely isolated, researchers could reconstruct the sequence of events using only information from inside the mini universe itself, without referring to any outside laboratory clock.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 9, 2026
The New York City Soccer Initiative, a collaboration between the city, NYC FC, and corporate sponsors is also building 26 mini soccer pitches at local schools.
From Barron's ● Jul. 9, 2026
England played two mini games after they had been reduced to 10 men.
From BBC ● Jul. 6, 2026
The red-haired boy in my vision looked exactly like a mini Kumu Whitman.
From "Clairboyance" by Kristiana Kahakauwila
While 16 teams battle it out in best-of-five elimination series to advance, the top four in each conference play each other in separate mini- tournaments to decide seeding.
From Seattle Times ● Jul. 29, 2020
Subsequent classes cost $240 for mini- baccarat, $580 for roulette and $720 for craps.
From Washington Post ● May 27, 2016
An assortment of mini- bolsters the engrossing main story and the fully voiced cast delight.
From The Guardian ● Jul. 6, 2013
JPMorgan also advised Gerdau on its $1.6 billion deal in August to complete the purchase of Tampa, Florida-based Gerdau Ameristeel Corp., the second-largest mini- mill steel producer in North America.
From BusinessWeek ● May 5, 2011
They were stuck behind an interminable line of other taxis, limousines, cars and mini- busses that had been stacking for ten minutes.
From Terminal Compromise: computer terrorism: when privacy and freedom are the victims: a novel by Schwartau, Winn
A mom waiting in the checkout line is so locked into browsing the minis section, she doesn’t notice her baby is missing a sock.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 8, 2025
“With over 68 different minis to collect, every unboxing is a fun surprise!”
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 10, 2024
Paired with the up-to-there minis, and often accessorized with big sunglasses, they aimed to create what Versace described as “energy from clashing Golden Age glamour with contemporary attitude, and confident power.”
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 10, 2023
The first generation of electric minis was launched at the Cowley plant in 2019.
From BBC ● Mar. 9, 2023
Fadi looked at his budgeted options—cheeseburger minis with French fries or something called a “bean and cheese burrito.”
From "Shooting Kabul" by N. H. Senzai
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.
