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Added 9 October 2026

diminutive

/dɪˈmɪn.jə.tɪv/ noun

Categories: LanguageRare Words

In Latin: deminutivum, diminutivum First recorded: 1398 Wiktionary

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about diminutive at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

  1. A word that is formed with a suffix (such as -let or -kin) to indicate smallness.

adjective

  1. Very small.
    diminutive in stature

Origin

Inherited from Middle English diminutif, derived from Old French diminutif, derived from Latin dīminutīv|us, ~a, ~um (adjective), from dīminūt|us, ~a, ~um (participle), perfect passive participle of dīmin|uō, ~uere, ~uī, ~ūtum (verb). First attested in 1398.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

Related Words: tinylittlepetitelilliputiansmallbantammidgetminusculeminisculeshortlowercaselower-case

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