How to pronounce minute
Say it like MIN-ut. Minute has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MIN).
- MIN
- ut
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tip: The unit of time is 'MIN-it'. Tiny is 'my-NOOT'.
Minute 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.
- utKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of minute
American and British speakers say minute in essentially the same way: /ˈmɪnət/ in the US and /ˈmɪnɪt/ in the UK.
British respelling: MIN-it.
Other ways to say minute
Minute also has these pronunciations, usually with a different meaning or use:
- my-NOOT /maɪˈnut/
- my-NYOOT /maɪˈnjut/
What does minute mean?
- A unit of time which is one sixtieth of an hour (sixty seconds).“You have twenty minutes to complete the test.”
- A short but unspecified time period.“give me a minute”
- A unit of angle equal to one-sixtieth of a degree.“We need to be sure these maps are accurate to within one minute of arc.”
- Of an event, to write in a memo or the minutes of a meeting.“I’ll minute this evening’s meeting.”
- To set down a short sketch or note of; to jot down; to make a minute or a brief summary of.
- Very small.“They found only minute quantities of chemical residue on his clothing.”
- Very careful and exact, giving small details.“The lawyer gave the witness a minute examination.”
Where does minute come from?
From Middle English mynute, minute, mynet, from Old French minute, from Medieval Latin minūta (“60th of an hour; note”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with minute
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of minute.
Words that sound like minute
- minot
Questions about saying minute
How do you pronounce minute?
Say MIN-ut. The American pronunciation is /ˈmɪnət/. In British English it is /ˈmɪnɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in minute?
Minute has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MIN). Broken into parts: MIN · ut.
Do Americans and Brits say minute the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈmɪnət/ and the British form is /ˈmɪnɪt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.
What words sound the same as minute?
Minute sounds the same as minot in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.