miniature

American  

[min-ee-uh-cher, -choor, min-uh-cher] / ˈmɪn i ə tʃər, -ˌtʃʊər, ˈmɪn ə tʃər /

noun

1. a representation or image of something on a small or reduced scale.

2. a greatly reduced or abridged form or copy.

3. a very small painting, especially a portrait, on ivory, vellum, or the like.

4. the art of executing such a painting.

5. an illumination in an illuminated manuscript or book.

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adjective

1. being, on, or represented on a small scale; reduced.

   Synonyms:

   minuscule, tiny, diminutive, microscopic, minute

idioms

1. in miniature, in a reduced size; on a small scale.

   The zoo exhibition offered a jungle in miniature.

miniature British  

/ ˈmɪnɪtʃə /

noun

1. a model, copy, or similar representation on a very small scale

2. anything that is very small of its kind

3. a very small painting, esp a portrait, showing fine detail on ivory or vellum

4. a very small bottle of whisky or other spirits, which can hold 50 millilitres

5. an illuminated letter or other decoration in a manuscript

6. on a small scale

   games are real life in miniature

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adjective

1. greatly reduced in size

2. on a small scale; minute

Other Word Forms

• superminiature
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of miniature

1580–90; < Italian miniatura miniature painting < Medieval Latin miniātūra, equivalent to miniāt ( us ) ( see miniate) + -ūra -ure; sense development perhaps influenced by Latin base min- ( see mini-, minor)

Explanation

Things that are miniature are teeny tiny versions of something else. Think miniature poodle. Unless you don't like small dogs. Then think miniature footballs. Aww, cute. When something is a miniature, it is like it has been shrunk down in size. It's not just small, it's a small replica of something else. If you made a dollhouse that was a scale representation of your own house, it would be a miniature of your home. It would also be a little weird.

Example Sentences

During an appearance at a Savannah Bananas game at Angel Stadium, Hough started a dance routine by tossing a miniature mirrorball to Olson, who shrugged toward the camera.

From Los Angeles Times • May 13, 2026

Cataloging what I have — and tossing anything expired, dubious or otherwise a little grim — feels like a miniature form of spring cleaning.

From Salon • May 12, 2026

The royal visitors had tea in the Green Room and were brought into the garden to see a newly-expanded beehive, rebuilt in the shape of a miniature White House.

From BBC • Apr. 27, 2026

"The Liaoningosaurus fossils had already developed some armor. Now that we know they are babies and not miniature adults, we can say that these kinds of features came in quite early during the animal's growth."

From Science Daily • Apr. 21, 2026

It was far-fetched, but looking at that miniature version of my home town, I’d have believed anything.

From "The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs" by Betty G. Birney

Related Words

• mini
• pint-sized
• reduced
• scaled-down
• small
• small-scale
• tiny