minutiae

American  

[mi-noo-shee-ee, -nyoo-, mi-noo-shuh, -shee-uh] / mɪˈnu ʃiˌi, -ˈnyu-, mɪˈnu ʃə, -ʃi ə /

plural noun

singular

minutia

1. precise details; small or trifling matters.

   the minutiae of his craft.

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minutiae British  

/ mɪˈnjuːʃɪˌiː /

plural noun

1. small, precise, or trifling details

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Usage

Minutia, the singular form meaning “a precise detail; a small or trifling matter” is much less common than the plural. However, this singular form is often used in place of the plural form minutiae , with the same plural meaning and plural verb: She has a great facility for remembering minutia that are relevant to the conversation. And the plural form minutiae is sometimes used as a collective noun with a singular verb: The minutiae of daily life is the stuff that anchors us and gives us a sense of purpose. Both of these usages have been criticized in style guides.

Other Word Forms

• minutial adjective

Etymology

Origin of minutiae

First recorded in 1745–55; from Latin, plural of minūtia “smallness, fineness,” equivalent to minūt(us) “small, tiny” + -ia; minute ², -ia

Example Sentences

Big picture stuff can be just as helpful as the minutiae.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 30, 2026

Gorsuch at first refused to believe him, claiming greater expertise in the minutiae of the Mississippi code.

From Slate • Mar. 23, 2026

Ministers and the officials working on the minutiae of the negotiations are hopeful there can be a step-by-step ratcheting up of dividends associated with a closer, warmer relationship.

From BBC • Jan. 30, 2026

Her preoccupation with archival minutiae fills space that could have been better spent.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 30, 2026

At Base Camp he pored over reams of computer printouts detailing logistical minutiae: menus, spare parts, tools, medicines, communications hardware, load-hauling schedules, yak availability.

From "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer

Related Words

• trivia