She noticed a diminutive figure standing at the entrance.
Synonyms: small, little, tiny, minute More Synonyms of diminutive
2. countable noun
A diminutive is an informal form of a name. For example, 'Jim' and 'Jimmy' are diminutives of 'James'.
3. countable noun
A diminutive is a suffix which is added to a word to show affection or to indicate that somethingis small. For example, '-ie' and '-ette' are diminutives, for example in 'doggie'and 'statuette'.
diminutive in British English
(dɪˈmɪnjʊtɪv)
adjective
1.
very small; tiny
2. grammar
a.
denoting an affix added to a word to convey the meaning small or unimportant or to express affection, as for example the suffix -ette in French
b.
denoting a word formed by the addition of a diminutive affix
noun
3. grammar
a diminutive word or affix
4.
a tiny person or thing
Compare (for senses 2, 3): augmentative
Derived forms
diminutival (dɪˌmɪnjʊˈtaɪvəl)
adjective
diminutively (diˈminutively)
adverb
diminutiveness (diˈminutiveness)
noun
diminutive in American English
(dəˈmɪnjutɪv; dəˈmɪnjətɪv)
adjective
1.
much smaller than ordinary or average; very small; tiny
2. Grammar
expressing smallness or diminution
a diminutive suffix or name
noun
3.
a very small person or thing
4.
a.
a word or name formed from another by the addition of a suffix expressing smallnessin size or, sometimes, endearment or condescension, as ringlet (ring + -let), Jackie (Jack + -ie), lambkin (lamb + -kin)
b.
such a suffix
SIMILAR WORDS: small
Derived forms
diminutively (diˈminutively)
adverb
diminutiveness (diˈminutiveness)
noun
Word origin
ME & OFr diminutif < LL diminutivus < pp. of L deminuere, diminish
Examples of 'diminutive' in a sentence
diminutive
The hosts could not cope with the diminutive striker on a boggy pitch.
The Sun (2012)
The door suddenly swung open and in marched two diminutive figures.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The only surprise is how he packs a heart so big in such a diminutive frame.
The Sun (2007)
But also that the diminutive singer remains skinny, which was key.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Despite their diminutive size they give off a lively all-round sound with decent but not overpowering bass.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Despite their diminutive size, they are surprisingly popular with buyers and renters.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
We could see our plane squatting on the ice, attached to umbilical tubes of fuel and tended by diminutive khaki figures.
Eric Newby A BOOK OF LANDS AND PEOPLES (2003)
Despite its diminutive size, this is a real rider's bike.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
A diminutive figure in his sharp threads, he is a larger-than-life character.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
In other languages
diminutive
British English: diminutive ADJECTIVE
A diminutive person or object is very small.
She noticed a diminutive figure standing at the entrance.
American English: diminutive
Brazilian Portuguese: diminuto
Chinese: 微小的
European Spanish: diminuto
French: minuscule
German: winzig
Italian: minuto
Japanese: 小さい
Korean: 자그마한
European Portuguese: diminuto
Latin American Spanish: diminuto
(adjective)
Definition
very small
a diminutive figure stood at the entrance
Synonyms
small
She is small for her age.
little
We sat round a little table.
tiny
Though she was tiny, she had a very loud voice.
minute
Only a minute amount is needed.
pocket(-sized)
mini
wee
Fancy being so scared of a wee spider!
miniature
The farm has been selling miniature roses since 1979.
petite
midget
an accompaniment of midget roast potatoes
undersized
undersized and underweight babies
teeny-weeny
Lilliputian
His vocabulary has shrunk to Lilliputian proportions.
bantam
teensy-weensy
pygmy or pigmy
Opposites
big
,
great
,
giant
,
massive (informal)
,
enormous
,
immense
,
jumbo (informal)
,
gigantic
,
colossal
,
king-size
Additional synonyms
in the sense of Lilliputian
Definition
tiny
His vocabulary has shrunk to Lilliputian proportions.