mini

1 of 3

noun

ˈmi-nē 

plural minis

: something small of its kind: such as

a

: minicar

b

: miniskirt

c

: minicomputer

mini

2 of 3

adjective

1

: small in relation to others of the same kind

2

: of short length or duration : brief

mini-

3 of 3

combining form

: smaller or briefer than usual, normal, or standard

minicourse

minibus

Examples of mini in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Add a $200 splurge in a Colombian sports bar watching the game with local fans, enjoy a $250-a-night hotel, get a mini-vacation and spend about a third of the cost of a game ticket. —Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 6 May 2026

There are no televisions in any room, nor a mini-bar. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 May 2026

Adjective

Swift contrasted her blue and white dress with a mini Lady Dior bag. —Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026

The magenta off-the-shoulder mini dress, with a bubble-like top and sweeping back train, was courtesy of Balenciaga designer Pierpaolo Piccioli’s spring 2026 collection. —Christian Allaire, Vogue, 28 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

mini-

Combining form

miniature

First Known Use

Noun

1960, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1963, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing mini

• mini-mart
• mini-pill
• mini-stroke

Rhymes for mini

• finny
• ginny
• jinny
• minnie
• ninny
• pinnae
• skinny
• spinney
• swinney
• tinny
• whinny
• winnie

Kids Definition

mini

1 of 2 noun

ˈmin-ē

: something small of its kind: as

a

: miniskirt

b

: minicomputer

mini-

2 of 2 combining form

: very small or short : miniature

minibike

miniskirt

Etymology

Combining form

derived by shortening from miniature