Minute vs. Small: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Updated on September 28, 2023
"Minute" refers to an extremely small amount or degree, while "Small" is a general term indicating lesser size, amount, or degree.
Key Differences
"Minute" and "Small" are both adjectives that denote something of reduced size, degree, or significance. However, the contexts in which they're used differ.
"Minute" is often reserved for details or distinctions so fine that they might escape casual observation. For example, a scientist might observe minute differences under a microscope. On the other hand, "Small" is a more generic descriptor for anything that isn't large.
While you might use "Small" to describe a reduced size dog, like a small terrier, you'd use "Minute" to emphasize something much finer, like the minute grains of sand on a beach.
The word "Small" possesses broader applications and is more commonly employed in day-to-day conversations. "Minute", aside from its time-related definition, is more specialized and highlights the extremity of smallness.
Conclusively, both words address the concept of reduced size or amount, but "Minute" leans more towards the realm of the very tiny or barely perceptible, whereas "Small" is a straightforward descriptor of size.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Definition
Extremely small in size or amount
Lesser in size, amount, or degree
Usage Context
Emphasizing tiny details or distinctions
General descriptor for anything not large
Nuance
Typically finer or less noticeable
Broad range but clearly not large
Example
Minute traces of gold in the rock
Small box of chocolates
Commonality in Usage
Less common, more specific
Widespread, general descriptor
ADVERTISEMENT
Minute and Small Definitions
Minute
Precise or detailed examination.
The detective took a minute look at the crime scene.
Small
Not significant or important.
It's a small issue and can be resolved quickly.
Minute
A very short time.
Wait a minute before making a decision.
Small
Lacking in power or status.
He started with a small business that grew over time.
Minute
A unit of time equal to one sixtieth of an hour, or 60 seconds.
Small
Being below average in size
A small car.
Minute
A unit of angular measurement equal to one sixtieth of a degree, or 60 seconds. Also called arcminute, minute of arc.
Small
Being below average in quantity or extent
A small donation.
A small project.
Minute
A measure of the distance one can cover in a minute
Lives ten minutes from school.
Small
Limited in importance or significance; trivial
A small matter.
Minute
A short interval of time; moment.
Small
Having limited position, influence, or status; minor
"A crowd of small writers had vainly attempted to rival Addison" (Thomas Macaulay).
Minute
A specific point in time
Stop that this minute!.
Small
Unpretentious; modest
Made a small living.
Helped the cause in my own small way.
Minute
A note or summary covering points to be remembered; a memorandum.
Small
Not fully grown; very young
A small child.
Minute
Minutes An official record of the proceedings of a meeting.
Small
Narrow in outlook; petty
A small mind.
Minute
To record in a memorandum or the minutes of a meeting.
Small
Having been belittled; humiliated
Their comments made me feel small.
Minute
Exceptionally small; tiny.
Small
Diluted; weak. Used of alcoholic beverages.
Minute
Not worthy of notice; insignificant
A minute problem.
Small
Lacking force or volume
A small voice.
Minute
Characterized by careful scrutiny and close examination
Held a minute inspection of the grounds.
Small
Lowercase
Type the password in small letters.
Minute
A unit of time equal to sixty seconds (one-sixtieth of an hour).
You have twenty minutes to complete the test.
Small
In small pieces
Cut the meat up small.
Minute
(informal) A short but unspecified time period.
Wait a minute, I’m not ready yet!
Small
Without loudness or forcefulness; softly.
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.
Small
In a small manner.
Minute
A (usually formal) written record of a meeting or a part of a meeting.
Let’s look at the minutes of last week’s meeting.
Small
A part that is smaller or narrower than the rest
The small of the back.
Minute
A unit of purchase on a telephone or other similar network, especially a cell phone network, roughly equivalent in gross form to sixty seconds' use of the network.
If you buy this model, you’ll get 100 free minutes.
Small
Small things considered as a group.
Minute
A point in time; a moment.
Small
Chiefly British Small items of clothing.
Minute
A nautical or a geographic mile.
Small
Not large or big; insignificant; few in number.
A small serving of ice cream.
A small group.
He made us all feel small.
Minute
An old coin, a half farthing.
Small
(figuratively) Young, as a child.
Remember when the children were small?
Minute
(obsolete) A very small part of anything, or anything very small; a jot; a whit.
Small
Minuscule or lowercase, referring to written or printed letters.
Minute
(architecture) A fixed part of a module.
Small
Humiliated or insignificant.
The bullies had succeeded in making him feel small.
Minute
A while or a long unspecified period of time
Oh, I ain't heard that song in a minute!
Small
Evincing little worth or ability; not large-minded; paltry; mean.
Minute
(transitive) Of an event, to write in a memo or the minutes of a meeting.
I’ll minute this evening’s meeting.
Small
Not prolonged in duration; not extended in time; short.
A small space of time
Minute
To set down a short sketch or note of; to jot down; to make a minute or a brief summary of.
Small
Synonym of little
Small science
Minute
Very small.
They found only minute quantities of chemical residue on his clothing.
Small
(archaic) Slender, gracefully slim.
Minute
Very careful and exact, giving small details.
The lawyer gave the witness a minute examination.
Small
That is small the manufactured size.
I'll have a small coffee, thanks.
Minute
The sixtieth part of an hour; sixty seconds. (Abbrev. m. or min.; as, 4 h. 30 m.
Four minutes, that is to say, minutes of an hour.
Small
In a small fashion
Minute
The sixtieth part of a degree; sixty seconds (Marked thus (´); as, 10° 20´).
Small
In or into small pieces.
Minute
A nautical or a geographic mile.
Small
(obsolete) To a small extent.
Minute
A coin; a half farthing.
Small
(obsolete) In a low tone; softly.
Minute
A very small part of anything, or anything very small; a jot; a tittle.
Minutes and circumstances of his passion.
Small
An item labelled or denoted as being that size.
Two smalls and a large, please.
Minute
A point of time; a moment.
I go this minute to attend the king.
Small
One who fits an item of that size.
Minute
The memorandum; a record; a note to preserve the memory of anything; as, to take minutes of a contract; to take minutes of a conversation or debate; to read the minutes of the last meeting.
Small
Any part of something that is smaller or slimmer than the rest, now usually with anatomical reference to the back.
Minute
A fixed part of a module. See Module.
Small
To make little or less.
Minute
Of or pertaining to a minute or minutes; occurring at or marking successive minutes.
Small
(intransitive) To become small; to dwindle.
Minute
Very small; little; tiny; fine; slight; slender; inconsiderable; as, minute details.
Small
Having little size, compared with other things of the same kind; little in quantity or degree; diminutive; not large or extended in dimension; not great; not much; inconsiderable; as, a small man; a small river.
To compareGreat things with small.
Minute
Attentive to small things; paying attention to details; critical; particular; precise; as, a minute observer; minute observation.
Small
Being of slight consequence; feeble in influence or importance; unimportant; trivial; insignificant; as, a small fault; a small business.
Minute
To set down a short sketch or note of; to jot down; to make a minute or a brief summary of.
The Empress of Russia, with her own hand, minuted an edict for universal tolerance.
Small
Envincing little worth or ability; not large-minded; - sometimes, in reproach, paltry; mean.
A true delineation of the smallest man is capable of interesting the greatest man.
Minute
A unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour;
He ran a 4 minute mile
Small
Not prolonged in duration; not extended in time; short; as, after a small space.
Minute
An indefinitely short time;
Wait just a moment
It only takes a minute
In just a bit
Small
Weak; slender; fine; gentle; soft; not loud.
Minute
A particular point in time;
The moment he arrived the party began
Small
In or to small extent, quantity, or degree; little; slightly.
Minute
A unit of angular distance equal to a 60th of a degree
Small
Not loudly; faintly; timidly.
You may speak as small as you will.
Minute
A short note;
The secretary keeps the minutes of the meeting
Small
The small or slender part of a thing; as, the small of the leg or of the back.
Minute
Distance measured by the time taken to cover it;
We live an hour from the airport
Its just 10 minutes away
Small
Smallclothes.
Minute
Infinitely or immeasurably small;
Two minute whiplike threads of protoplasm
Reduced to a microscopic scale
Small
To make little or less.
Minute
Immeasurably small
Small
The slender part of the back
Minute
Characterized by painstaking care and detailed examination;
A minute inspection of the grounds
A narrow scrutiny
An exact and minute report
Small
A garment size for a small person
Minute
Extremely small.
She noticed a minute speck on the painting.
Small
Limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent;
A little dining room
A little house
A small car
A little (or small) group
A small voice
Minute
Of minor importance.
The revisions made were minute and didn't affect the main content.
Small
Limited in size or scope;
A small business
A newspaper with a modest circulation
Small-scale plans
A pocket-size country
Minute
Finely detailed.
He made a minute inspection of the document.
Small
Low or inferior in station or quality;
A humble cottage
A lowly parish priest
A modest man of the people
Small beginnings
Small
Not fully grown;
What a big little boy you are
Small children
Small
Too small to be seen except under a microscope
Small
Not large but sufficient in size or amount;
A modest salary
Modest inflation
Helped in my own small way
Small
(of a voice) faint;
A little voice
A still small voice
Small
Slight or limited; especially in degree or intensity or scope;
A series of death struggles with small time in between
Small
Made to seem smaller or less (especially in worth);
Her comments made me feel small
Small
Lowercase;
Little a
Small a
E.e.cummings's poetry is written all in minuscule letters
Small
Have fine or very small constituent particles;
A small misty rain
Small
On a small scale;
Think small
Small
Of a size less than normal or average.
The kitten was so small and adorable.
Small
Limited in degree or extent.
There's a small chance of rain tomorrow.
Small
Of a reduced quantity.
She has a small collection of stamps.
FAQs
Does "Small" always indicate size?
Not always, it can also indicate quantity, significance, or degree.
Are "Minute" and "Small" synonyms?
While both can describe something of reduced size, "Minute" often refers to something extremely tiny or detailed.
Which is more common in daily conversation?
"Small" is more commonly used than "Minute".
Can "Minute" describe levels of importance?
Yes, it can denote something of minor importance.
Can "Small" imply inferiority?
It can, depending on the context, like "small in stature" or "small-minded".
Is "Minute" used in scientific contexts?
Often, especially when detailing tiny or fine observations.
What's another word for "Small"?
Little, tiny, or petite.
Can "Minute" also refer to time?
Yes, "Minute" can mean a unit of time, which is 1/60th of an hour.
Is "Minute" pronounced differently based on meaning?
Yes, for time it's "MIN-it" and for smallness it's "my-NOOT".
Can both words be used in formal contexts?
Yes, both "Minute" and "Small" are appropriate in formal settings.
Is "Minute" a noun or adjective?
It can be both, depending on its usage.
How is "Small" different from "Short"?
"Small" is about size or amount, while "Short" typically refers to length or duration.
What's the plural of "Minute" regarding time?
Minutes.
Is "Minute" always about size?
No, it can be about detail, importance, or a short span of time.
Does "Small" only refer to physical objects?
No, it can describe abstract concepts like chances or amounts.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
