Minute vs. Small: What's the Difference?
Edited by Huma Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || 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.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023
"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.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023
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.
Janet White
Sep 28, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Extremely small in size or amount
Lesser in size, amount, or degree
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023
Usage Context
Emphasizing tiny details or distinctions
General descriptor for anything not large
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023
Commonality in Usage
Less common, more specific
Widespread, general descriptor
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023
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Minute and Small Definitions
Minute
Precise or detailed examination.
The detective took a minute look at the crime scene.
Janet White
Sep 28, 2023
Small
Not significant or important.
It's a small issue and can be resolved quickly.
Sara Rehman
Sep 28, 2023
Small
Lacking in power or status.
He started with a small business that grew over time.
Sara Rehman
Sep 28, 2023
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Minute
A unit of angular measurement equal to one sixtieth of a degree, or 60 seconds. Also called arcminute, minute of arc.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 29, 2022
Small
Being below average in quantity or extent
A small donation.
A small project.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 29, 2022
Minute
A measure of the distance one can cover in a minute
Lives ten minutes from school.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 29, 2022
Small
Having limited position, influence, or status; minor
"A crowd of small writers had vainly attempted to rival Addison" (Thomas Macaulay).
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 29, 2022
Small
Unpretentious; modest
Made a small living.
Helped the cause in my own small way.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 29, 2022
Minute
Characterized by careful scrutiny and close examination
Held a minute inspection of the grounds.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 29, 2022
Minute
A unit of time equal to sixty seconds (one-sixtieth of an hour).
You have twenty minutes to complete the test.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 29, 2022
Minute
(informal) A short but unspecified time period.
Wait a minute, I’m not ready yet!
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 29, 2022
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 29, 2022
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 29, 2022
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 29, 2022
Small
Not large or big; insignificant; few in number.
A small serving of ice cream.
A small group.
He made us all feel small.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 29, 2022
Small
(figuratively) Young, as a child.
Remember when the children were small?
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 29, 2022
Minute
(obsolete) A very small part of anything, or anything very small; a jot; a whit.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 29, 2022
Small
Humiliated or insignificant.
The bullies had succeeded in making him feel small.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 29, 2022
Minute
A while or a long unspecified period of time
Oh, I ain't heard that song in a minute!
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 29, 2022
Minute
(transitive) Of an event, to write in a memo or the minutes of a meeting.
I’ll minute this evening’s meeting.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 29, 2022
Small
Not prolonged in duration; not extended in time; short.
A small space of time
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 29, 2022
Minute
To set down a short sketch or note of; to jot down; to make a minute or a brief summary of.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 29, 2022
Minute
Very small.
They found only minute quantities of chemical residue on his clothing.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 29, 2022
Minute
Very careful and exact, giving small details.
The lawyer gave the witness a minute examination.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 29, 2022
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 29, 2022
Minute
The sixtieth part of a degree; sixty seconds (Marked thus (´); as, 10° 20´).
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 29, 2022
Minute
A very small part of anything, or anything very small; a jot; a tittle.
Minutes and circumstances of his passion.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 29, 2022
Small
An item labelled or denoted as being that size.
Two smalls and a large, please.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 29, 2022
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 29, 2022
Small
Any part of something that is smaller or slimmer than the rest, now usually with anatomical reference to the back.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 29, 2022
Minute
Of or pertaining to a minute or minutes; occurring at or marking successive minutes.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 29, 2022
Minute
Very small; little; tiny; fine; slight; slender; inconsiderable; as, minute details.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 29, 2022
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 29, 2022
Minute
Attentive to small things; paying attention to details; critical; particular; precise; as, a minute observer; minute observation.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 29, 2022
Small
Being of slight consequence; feeble in influence or importance; unimportant; trivial; insignificant; as, a small fault; a small business.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 29, 2022
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 29, 2022
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 29, 2022
Minute
A unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour;
He ran a 4 minute mile
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 29, 2022
Small
Not prolonged in duration; not extended in time; short; as, after a small space.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 29, 2022
Minute
An indefinitely short time;
Wait just a moment
It only takes a minute
In just a bit
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 29, 2022
Small
The small or slender part of a thing; as, the small of the leg or of the back.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 29, 2022
Minute
Distance measured by the time taken to cover it;
We live an hour from the airport
Its just 10 minutes away
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 29, 2022
Minute
Infinitely or immeasurably small;
Two minute whiplike threads of protoplasm
Reduced to a microscopic scale
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 29, 2022
Minute
Characterized by painstaking care and detailed examination;
A minute inspection of the grounds
A narrow scrutiny
An exact and minute report
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 29, 2022
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
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 29, 2022
Minute
Of minor importance.
The revisions made were minute and didn't affect the main content.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023
Small
Limited in size or scope;
A small business
A newspaper with a modest circulation
Small-scale plans
A pocket-size country
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 29, 2022
Small
Low or inferior in station or quality;
A humble cottage
A lowly parish priest
A modest man of the people
Small beginnings
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 29, 2022
Small
Not large but sufficient in size or amount;
A modest salary
Modest inflation
Helped in my own small way
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 29, 2022
Small
Slight or limited; especially in degree or intensity or scope;
A series of death struggles with small time in between
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 29, 2022
Small
Made to seem smaller or less (especially in worth);
Her comments made me feel small
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 29, 2022
Small
Lowercase;
Little a
Small a
E.e.cummings's poetry is written all in minuscule letters
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 29, 2022
Small
Of a size less than normal or average.
The kitten was so small and adorable.
Sara Rehman
Sep 28, 2023
FAQs
Does "Small" always indicate size?
Not always, it can also indicate quantity, significance, or degree.
Sara Rehman
Sep 28, 2023
Are "Minute" and "Small" synonyms?
While both can describe something of reduced size, "Minute" often refers to something extremely tiny or detailed.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023
Which is more common in daily conversation?
"Small" is more commonly used than "Minute".
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023
Can "Minute" describe levels of importance?
Yes, it can denote something of minor importance.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023
Can "Small" imply inferiority?
It can, depending on the context, like "small in stature" or "small-minded".
Janet White
Sep 28, 2023
Is "Minute" used in scientific contexts?
Often, especially when detailing tiny or fine observations.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 28, 2023
Can "Minute" also refer to time?
Yes, "Minute" can mean a unit of time, which is 1/60th of an hour.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023
Is "Minute" pronounced differently based on meaning?
Yes, for time it's "MIN-it" and for smallness it's "my-NOOT".
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023
Can both words be used in formal contexts?
Yes, both "Minute" and "Small" are appropriate in formal settings.
Harlon Moss
Sep 28, 2023
How is "Small" different from "Short"?
"Small" is about size or amount, while "Short" typically refers to length or duration.
Harlon Moss
Sep 28, 2023
Is "Minute" always about size?
No, it can be about detail, importance, or a short span of time.
Harlon Moss
Sep 28, 2023
Does "Small" only refer to physical objects?
No, it can describe abstract concepts like chances or amounts.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Huma SaeedHuma is a renowned researcher acclaimed for her innovative work in Difference Wiki. Her dedication has led to key breakthroughs, establishing her prominence in academia. Her contributions continually inspire and guide her field.
