diminutive
/dɪˈmɪnjətɪv/ (bre, ipa) · /dɪˈmɪnjətɪv/ (ame, ipa) · /də-ˈmi-nyə-tiv/ (ame, mw) · /dɪˈmɪn.jə.tɪv/ (bre, ipa) · /dɪˈmɪn.jə.t̬ɪv/ (ame, ipa)
diminutive — adjective
- diminutivepositive
- more diminutivecomparative
- most diminutivesuperlative
1. much smaller than normal in physical size, height, or build
much smaller than normal in physical size, height, or build
The toy shop displayed a diminutive tea set beside the full-size one.
diminutive + noun for unusually small objects
Despite his diminutive frame, Darius carried both suitcases upstairs alone.
common collocation: diminutive frame
A diminutive café stood between the pharmacy and the bus stop.
Mira spotted a diminutive frog resting on a wet leaf.
文法句型
diminutive + noun
be + diminutive
用法筆記
More formal than 'small' or 'tiny'. It often appears in descriptive writing about a person's build or an object's physical scale.
2. describing a word form that marks smallness and may also add a warm or dismissiv
describing a word form that marks smallness and may also add a warm or dismissive tone
In Spanish, -ito often creates a diminutive form with a warm tone.
diminutive form in grammar discussion
The teacher said the diminutive ending made the request sound kinder.
diminutive ending affecting tone
Grandma used a diminutive name for Ana when she felt affectionate.
Some writers choose a diminutive nickname to make a hero seem unimportant.
文法句型
diminutive + form
diminutive + suffix
diminutive + name
用法筆記
Usually used in discussions of names, suffixes, and grammar. It can point either to affection or to a belittling effect, depending on context.
diminutive — noun
- diminutivesingular
- diminutivesplural
1. a word form or ending that signals small size and can also sound loving or sligh
a word form or ending that signals small size and can also sound loving or slightly dismissive
The grammar book lists -let as a common English diminutive.
diminutive referring to an ending or form
In Polish, one noun may have several diminutives for different tones.
plural use: diminutives in one language
During class, Hana circled the diminutive in the word 'duckling' on the page.
Students underlined each diminutive in the folk tale and explained its effect.
文法句型
a diminutive of [word/name]
a diminutive in [language]
用法筆記
Mostly used in grammar or literary discussion rather than everyday conversation. For the affectionate short form of a person's name, see noun sense 2.
2. a shortened, familiar form of someone's personal name
a shortened, familiar form of someone's personal name
Theo began as a diminutive of Theodore in his family.
a diminutive of + full name
At school, everyone used Gabi as a diminutive for Gabriela.
use + diminutive for a person
Liz first appeared as a diminutive beneath Elizabeth on the form.
Some diminutives later become official given names on birth certificates.
文法句型
a diminutive of [name]
use a diminutive for [person]
用法筆記
Usually refers to a shortened, affectionate name form. It is commonly followed by 'of' when the full name is given.