mini
noun
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mini
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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:
Wilson has a mini Roger Federer Hall of Fame and retail space.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 31, 2026
The move to set up a kind of mini vintage store featuring a mishmash of garments is a stark contrast from the Swedish apparel giant’s typical offerings.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 3, 2026
Gareth Morgan and Debi Bode said the blast felt like three mini earthquakes.
From BBC ● Jul. 31, 2026
It’s next to the waterpark, mini golf course and go-kart track.
From Salon ● Jul. 27, 2026
Over the past few months Kelton’s family has assembled an over-the-top surveillance system, set up a mini greenhouse in their side yard, and lined their entire roof with some kind of unregistered, off-grid solar panels.
From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman
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
By mini-, we mean one or two rhyming couplets per character — so four to eight lines total.
From Washington Post ● Mar. 5, 2020
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
First, I am assigning the Director of the National Security Agency to coordinate all efforts at defending against and mini- mizing the effects of the current crisis.
From Terminal Compromise: computer terrorism: when privacy and freedom are the victims: a novel by Winn Schwartau
Most pigs sold as minis are a mix of several small-statued breeds, including Juliana, KuneKune and Vietnamese potbellied pigs.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 3, 2026
Like pleated minis, low-rise jeans and crop tops, “The Simple Life” has made a comeback in the culture.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 10, 2024
The first generation of electric minis was launched at the Cowley plant in 2019.
From BBC ● Mar. 9, 2023
For the truly obsessed, one company makes minis in minis featuring beloved candy brands.
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 15, 2022
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.
