Definition of
diminutive has definitions from the field of linguistics
1
[ adjective ] very small

Synonyms

tiny petite lilliputian midget bantam

Examples

"diminutive in stature" "a lilliputian chest of drawers" "her petite figure" "tiny feet"

Used in print

(Robert Penn Warren, Wilderness....)

Beyond that misty gray of the rain , he saw the stretching hutment , low diminutive log_cabins , chinked with mud , with doorways a man would have_to crouch to get through , with roofs of tenting laid_over boughs or boards from hardtack boxes , or fence_rails , with cranky chimneys of sticks and dried mud .

(Guy Bolton, The Olympians....)

A scant half_mile away Shelley and Mary were doubtless sitting on their diminutive terrace , the air about them scented with stock , and listening to the nightingale who had nested in the big lime_tree at the foot of the garden .

Related terms

small

2
[ adjective ] very small

Synonyms

tiny petite midget flyspeck lilliputian bantam

Examples

"diminutive in stature" "a lilliputian chest of drawers" "her petite figure" "tiny feet" "the flyspeck nation of Bahrain moved toward democracy"

Related terms

small

3
[ noun ] (linguistics) a word that is formed with a suffix (such as -let or -kin) to indicate smallness

Related terms

word

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Rhymes with

initiative tentative unrepresentative unimaginative argumentative insensitive preventative sensitive tentative appreciative representative oversensitive primitive indicative derivative prohibitive executive acquisitive consecutive infinitive definitive initiative punitive alternative degenerative remunerative speculative imaginative determinative cumulative generative figurative communicative fixative deliberative secretive imitative meditative qualitative rehabilitative authoritative putative palliative demonstrative intuitive commemorative accusative alliterative vegetative sedative relative negative narrative cognitive hypersensitive insensitive primitive regulative accumulative stimulative sensitive manipulative narrative rep competitive consultative imperative uncompetitive decorative noncompetitive curative fugitive comparative affirmative formative normative uninformative informative distributive derivative distinctive instinctive inquisitive inactive causative positive talkative accommodative elucidative restorative collaborative superlative prerogative preservative exploitative evocative pejorative nutritive ultraconservative neoconservative conservative lucrative laxative interpretive provocative uncooperative illustrative expletive operative vituperative recuperative contemplative additive inoperative attentive presumptive inattentive incentive preventive substantive disincentive locomotive inventive investigative automotive protective innovative prognosticative assertive plaintive native disruptive descriptive contraceptive appointive addictive nonnative corroborative photoconductive vindictive conductive seductive corroborative captive eruptive facultative exhaustive alliterative collective selective legislative iterative invective infective restrictive detective connective administrative preemptive active octave redemptive effective corruptive reproductive supportive combative nonproductive counterproductive affective quantitative unproductive productive motive directive unreceptive adaptive deceptive adoptive receptive productive deliberative abortive respective predictive repetitive redemptive competitive furtive reactive protective fugitive hyperactive overactive interactive retroactive ineffective proactive restive festive

Phonetic and Homophones

D IH0 M IH1 N Y AH0 T IH0 V

Similar Spelling

diminution diamonte diamante diamantine Diamant

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