adjective
minute
Extremely small in scale or detail.
The microscope reveals minute cracks in the surface of the metal.
Etymology
The Latin adjective comes from the idea of making something smaller. English preserves that smallness both for tiny physical things and for very fine details.
More examples
- Only a minute amount of salt remains in the water.
- She notices minute differences between the two photographs.
- A minute examination of the records reveals several errors.
Forms
minute · minuter · minutest
minutely adverb — With close attention to every detail.
minuteness noun — Extreme smallness or precision of detail.
Similar words
- tiny
- Describes very small size, not close attention to detail.
- microscopic
- Often suggests something too small to see without magnification.
- meticulous
- Emphasizes careful attention to detail rather than physical smallness.