diminutiveness

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

di•min•u•tive /dɪˈmɪnyətɪv/   adj. 

1. smaller than the average;
   tiny:
   The Pygmies are a diminutive people.
2. Grammar relating to a form that indicates smallness, familiarity, affection, or triviality:
   The diminutive suffix -let appears in the word droplet , which means "a small drop.''

n. [countable]

3. Grammar a diminutive prefix, suffix, etc., or the word formed by using it:
   The suffix -let is a diminutive. The word droplet is a diminutive.

See -min-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

di•min•u•tive  (di min′yə tiv), adj. 

1. small;
   little;
   tiny:
   a diminutive building for a model-train layout.
2. Grammar pertaining to or productive of a form denoting smallness, familiarity, affection, or triviality, as the suffix -let, in droplet from drop.

n. 

3. Grammar a small thing or person.
4. Grammar a diminutive element or formation.
5. Heraldry a charge, as an ordinary, smaller in length or breadth than the usual.

• Medieval Latin dīminūtīvus, equivalent. to Latin dīminūt(us) lessened (for dēminūtus; see diminution) + -īvus -ive
• Middle English 1350–1400

di•min′u•tive•ly, adv. 
di•min′u•tive•ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. See little.