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

Pricing context: The mini launched at $99 and has held close to that level. —Dave Smith, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2025

Device prototypes use a roughly 7-inch horizontal display, approaching the size of an iPad mini. —Bloomberg, Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2025

Adjective

Indeed, the footage of the cluster of cells meeting the uterus looks like a mini cosmic explosion. —Leslie Katz, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2025

While mini fridges can be ubiquitous in dorm rooms, these products can add convenient storage to a workout room, home office, garage, and more areas throughout your home. —Rachel Trujillo, People.com, 15 Aug. 2025

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