Minute
ˈmɪnɪt
Definitions
4 meaningsA unit of time, equivalent to sixty seconds, representing a short duration.
ˈmɪnɪt
A unit of time equal to 60 seconds.
The movie starts in five minutes.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're waiting for your favorite show to start. A minute is like a small, tiny piece of time – it's usually enough time to check your phone or grab a snack!
👶 For kids: A minute is a little bit of time. It's how long it takes to sing a short song!
More Examples
Please wait a minute while I get my coat.
She spent ten minutes reading the instructions.
How It's Used
"The meeting will begin in five minutes."
"There are two minutes left in the game."
A brief period of time; a moment.
ˈmɪnɪt
A short period of time.
I'll be back in a minute.
💡 Simply: Sometimes you just need a minute to yourself, like when you need a little break from playing or studying.
👶 For kids: A minute is a tiny amount of time, like when you take a quick break!
More Examples
He needs a minute to collect his thoughts.
Let's just relax for a minute.
How It's Used
"Could you wait a minute?"
"I need a minute to think."
Extremely small or tiny; of little importance.
maɪˈnjuːt
Extremely small.
She made a minute adjustment to the focus of the telescope.
💡 Simply: Think of something so tiny you almost miss it, like a tiny ant or a speck of dust. That's what 'minute' means in this case.
👶 For kids: Something super, super small!
More Examples
The scientist examined the minute details under a microscope.
Minute differences can have a big impact.
How It's Used
"The analysis involved a minute examination of the data."
"Minute details of the organism were observed."
To record in writing; to make a written record of.
ˈmɪnɪt
To record in detail.
The secretary minuted the board meeting.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're at a meeting and someone is writing down everything that happens and everything that is said. That person is 'minuting' the meeting, writing down the details.
👶 For kids: To write down all the important things that happen in a meeting.
More Examples
Could you please minute the key decisions?
The discussion was minuted by the team leader.
How It's Used
"The secretary minuted the meeting."
"She was tasked with minuting the conference."
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
at the minute
Currently; at this time.
"I'm busy at the minute."
Wait a minute
Used to tell someone to pause or stop something.
"Wait a minute, I'm not sure I understand."
From Latin *minūtus* meaning "small," originally referring to the small division of an hour (60th part).
The word 'minute' has been used since the 14th century, initially referring to a small division of time. Its use to describe something extremely small came later.
Memory tip
Think of a clock; each small tick marks a minute.