mini
noun
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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:
"We are turning these kids into mini professionals instead of just letting them play and enjoy themselves," he said.
From BBC ● Aug. 25, 2026
From the bathroom, I pulled out a ceramic planter and a mini rubber ducky.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 8, 2026
“I’m a mini driver, pun intended. I need to celebrate the car that saved us, because we’ve got families and people who love us, and I am so grateful to be alive,” she said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 7, 2026
It’s next to the waterpark, mini golf course and go-kart track.
From Salon ● Jul. 27, 2026
And then she took me early to the cupcake place on Lexington and got me two dozen mini cupcakes in a big white box, enough for everyone in my class.
From Absolutely Almost by Lisa Graff
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
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
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
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
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.
