How to pronounce diminutive
Say it like dih-MIN-yuh-tiv. Diminutive has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (MIN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce diminutive. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- dih
- MIN
- yuh
- tiv
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Diminutive pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- dihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- MINSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- yuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- tivKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of diminutive
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: dih-MIN-yuh-tiv.
What does diminutive mean?
- Very small.
- Of or pertaining to, or creating a word form expressing smallness, youth, unimportance, or endearment.
- A word form expressing smallness, youth, unimportance, or endearment.“Booklet, the diminutive of book, means ‘small book’.”
- The smallest, thinnest version of a traditional heraldic ordinary ("geometric shape on a shield"), often used to represent multiple instances of a charge or to modify a main, central, and larger charge; not itself modifiable.
Where does diminutive come from?
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).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying diminutive
How do you pronounce diminutive?
Say dih-MIN-yuh-tiv. The American pronunciation is /dɪˈmɪnjətɪv/. In British English it is /dɪˈmɪnjətɪv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in diminutive?
Diminutive has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (MIN). Broken into parts: dih · MIN · yuh · tiv.
Is diminutive pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t. The British form is /dɪˈmɪnjətɪv/ (dih-MIN-yuh-tiv).