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How to Say Minute: Pronunciation, Definition

Learn minute pronunciation, meaning, origin, synonyms, and common phrases to boost your everyday vocabulary.

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How to Pronounce Minute

Breaking Down "Minute"

First syllable ("min"): Say it like "min" in "mint" with a short "i" sound, similar to "bit" or "sit".
Second syllable ("ute"): This sounds like "it" but very soft and quick. It is not pronounced like the word "yute".
Stress: The emphasis is on the first syllable, so it sounds like "MIN-it".

Practice Tips

Listen and Imitate: Find recordings of native speakers pronouncing "minute", and try to mimic their rhythm and intonation.
Slow it Down: Practice saying each syllable slowly – first "min", then "it" – before putting them together at a natural speed.
Record Yourself: Listen to your own pronunciation and compare it with native speakers to notice any differences.

Common Pitfalls

Overemphasizing the Second Syllable: Keep the second syllable short; don’t lengthen it or give it too much stress.
Confusing Different Meanings: Remember that "minute" (as in time) is pronounced "MIN-it". There is another word "minute" (meaning tiny), pronounced "my-NUTE", but they are different.

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What Does Minute Mean

Minute: Time and Size

Time Unit: The word "minute" (pronounced "min-it") is a unit of time. One minute equals 60 seconds. For example, "I will be there in one minute" means you will wait for 60 seconds.
Extremely Small: The word "minute" (pronounced "my-noot") can also mean very small or tiny. For example, "The details in the design were minute" means the details were so small that they are hard to see.
Usage in Context: When using "minute" to talk about time, think of clocks, timers, or schedules. When using "minute" to describe size, imagine something that is almost too small to notice.
Pronunciation and Meaning: Even though the word is spelled the same, the way you say it changes its meaning. Pay attention to the context to understand which meaning is intended.

Minute: Time and Size

Time Unit: The word "minute" (pronounced "min-it") is a unit of time. One minute equals 60 seconds. For example, "I will be there in one minute" means you will wait for 60 seconds.
Extremely Small: The word "minute" (pronounced "my-noot") can also mean very small or tiny. For example, "The details in the design were minute" means the details were so small that they are hard to see.
Usage in Context: When using "minute" to talk about time, think of clocks, timers, or schedules. When using "minute" to describe size, imagine something that is almost too small to notice.
Pronunciation and Meaning: Even though the word is spelled the same, the way you say it changes its meaning. Pay attention to the context to understand which meaning is intended.

The Origin of the Word Minute

Origin of the Word Minute

Latin Roots: The word "minute" comes from the Latin word minutus, which means "small" or "thin."
Old French Influence: From Latin, the term passed into Old French as "minute," carrying the meaning of something very small or detailed.
Application to Time: As people began dividing time into smaller parts, the idea of something tiny was applied to time segments. Thus, a "minute" came to represent a small, measurable part of an hour (1/60 of an hour).
Dual Meanings in English: In English, "minute" carries two main meanings:
- Time Division: A unit of time (60 seconds), derived from the idea of a small, subdivided segment.
- Very Small or Detailed: Used as an adjective (pronounced "my-NOOT") to describe something extremely small or intricate, a meaning that still hints at its Latin origin.
Evolution in Usage: Over time, "minute" maintained its connection both to the concept of detailed smallness and to the division of time, highlighting its long history and the evolution of language from Latin through Old French to modern English.

Origin of the Word Minute

Latin Roots: The word "minute" comes from the Latin word minutus, which means "small" or "thin."
Old French Influence: From Latin, the term passed into Old French as "minute," carrying the meaning of something very small or detailed.
Application to Time: As people began dividing time into smaller parts, the idea of something tiny was applied to time segments. Thus, a "minute" came to represent a small, measurable part of an hour (1/60 of an hour).
Dual Meanings in English: In English, "minute" carries two main meanings:
- Time Division: A unit of time (60 seconds), derived from the idea of a small, subdivided segment.
- Very Small or Detailed: Used as an adjective (pronounced "my-NOOT") to describe something extremely small or intricate, a meaning that still hints at its Latin origin.
Evolution in Usage: Over time, "minute" maintained its connection both to the concept of detailed smallness and to the division of time, highlighting its long history and the evolution of language from Latin through Old French to modern English.

What to Say Instead Minute

Tiny

Similarity: Both "minute" and "tiny" emphasize an extremely small size.
Usage: "The spider was so tiny that it blended into the background, almost as minute as a speck of dust."

Tiny

Similarity: Both "minute" and "tiny" emphasize an extremely small size.
Usage: "The spider was so tiny that it blended into the background, almost as minute as a speck of dust."

Minuscule

Similarity: "Minuscule" and "minute" both describe something very small in scale.
Usage: "The details on the old map were minuscule, almost as minute that they required a magnifying glass to read."

Minuscule

Similarity: "Minuscule" and "minute" both describe something very small in scale.
Usage: "The details on the old map were minuscule, almost as minute that they required a magnifying glass to read."

Diminutive

Similarity: "Diminutive" shares the quality of smallness which is inherent in "minute".
Usage: "Despite its diminutive size, the model was exquisitely detailed, showcasing every minute aspect."

Diminutive

Similarity: "Diminutive" shares the quality of smallness which is inherent in "minute".
Usage: "Despite its diminutive size, the model was exquisitely detailed, showcasing every minute aspect."

Microscopic

Similarity: Both terms imply something is so small that it is almost imperceptible to the naked eye.
Usage: "Under the microscope, the sample revealed microscopic organisms, each with minute features."

Microscopic

Similarity: Both terms imply something is so small that it is almost imperceptible to the naked eye.
Usage: "Under the microscope, the sample revealed microscopic organisms, each with minute features."

Petite

Similarity: While commonly used for describing people or objects in a charming way, "petite" and "minute" both refer to a distinctly small size.
Usage: "The artist crafted a petite sculpture with care, paying attention to every minute detail."

Petite

Similarity: While commonly used for describing people or objects in a charming way, "petite" and "minute" both refer to a distinctly small size.
Usage: "The artist crafted a petite sculpture with care, paying attention to every minute detail."

Puny

Similarity: "Puny" emphasizes a lack of size or strength, aligning with the idea of something being minute and insignificant in scale.
Usage: "The castle’s defenses appeared puny compared to the minute vulnerabilities exposed by the enemy."

Puny

Similarity: "Puny" emphasizes a lack of size or strength, aligning with the idea of something being minute and insignificant in scale.
Usage: "The castle’s defenses appeared puny compared to the minute vulnerabilities exposed by the enemy."

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Common Phrases and Examples with Minute

I waited a minute for the bus to arrive. Explanation: In this sentence, "minute" means a short amount of time, equal to 60 seconds.

She will call you in a minute. Explanation: Here, "minute" is used to show that something will happen very soon.

The teacher said, "Give me a minute" when someone asked for help. Explanation: In this example, "minute" means a short period of time before the teacher can help.

The artist paid attention to every minute detail in his painting. Explanation: In this sentence, "minute" is an adjective that means very small or tiny details.

The baby only slept for a minute before waking up. Explanation: Here, "minute" describes a very short period of time during which the baby slept.

We have a minute to finish our work before the class ends. Explanation: In this sentence, "minute" shows that there is only a very limited amount of time left.