How to pronounce minuscule
Say it like MIN-uh-skyool. Minuscule has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MIN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce minuscule. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- MIN
- uh
- skyool
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Minuscule pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- MINSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- skyoolGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
American vs British pronunciation of minuscule
American and British speakers say minuscule in essentially the same way: /ˈmɪnəˌskjul/ in the US and /ˈmɪnəˌskjuːl/ in the UK.
British respelling: MIN-uh-skyool.
What does minuscule mean?
- A lowercase letter.
- Either of the two medieval handwriting styles minuscule cursive and Caroline minuscule.
- A letter in these styles.
- Written in minuscules, lowercase.
- Written in minuscule handwriting style.
- Very small; tiny.“a minuscule dot”
Where does minuscule come from?
From French minuscule, from Latin minuscula, feminine of minusculus (“rather less, rather small”), from minus (“less, smaller”) + -culus (diminutive suffix).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying minuscule
How do you pronounce minuscule?
Say MIN-uh-skyool. The American pronunciation is /ˈmɪnəˌskjul/. In British English it is /ˈmɪnəˌskjuːl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in minuscule?
Minuscule has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MIN). Broken into parts: MIN · uh · skyool.
Do Americans and Brits say minuscule the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈmɪnəˌskjul/ and the British form is /ˈmɪnəˌskjuːl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.