minority

[ mahy-nawr-i-tee, -nor, mi- ]

/ maɪˈnɔr ɪ ti, -ˈnɒr, mɪ- /

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See synonyms for: minority / minorities on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural mi·nor·i·ties.

the smaller part or number; a number, part, or amount forming less than half of the whole.

a smaller party or group opposed to a majority, as in voting or other action.

a group in society distinguished from, and less dominant than, the more numerous majority:The ethnic minority was disproportionately affected by the reduction in preventative medical services.

a racial, ethnic, religious, or social subdivision of a society that is subordinated in political, financial, or social power by the dominant group, without regard to the size of these groups: legislation aimed at providing equal rights for minorities.

a member of such a group.

the state or period of being under the legal age of full responsibility.

adjective

of or relating to a minority.

OTHER WORDS FOR minority

6 childhood, boyhood, girlhood.

See synonyms for minority on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

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Compare majority-minority.

Origin of minority

First recorded in 1450–1500; late Middle English, from Middle French minorité, from Medieval Latin minōritāt-, stem of minōritās; see minor, -ity

OTHER WORDS FROM minority

non·mi·nor·i·ty, adjectivepro·mi·nor·i·ty, adjective

British Dictionary definitions for minority

minority

/ (maɪˈnɒrɪtɪ, mɪ-) /

noun plural -ties

the smaller in number of two parts, factions, or groups

a group that is different racially, politically, etc, from a larger group of which it is a part

the state of being a minor
the period during which a person is below legal ageCompare majority

(modifier) relating to or being a minoritya minority interest; a minority opinion

Word Origin for minority

C16: from Medieval Latin minōritās, from Latin minor

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

minority

OTHER WORDS FOR minority

Origin of minority

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British Dictionary definitions for minority

Word Origin for minority