di
min
u
tive
Comparative
more diminutive
Superlative
most diminutive
1
much smaller than what is normal
- The diminutive kitten curled up in the corner, its tiny frame emitting soft purrs.
- She wore a diminutive pendant around her neck, a cherished keepsake from her grandmother.
- The diminutive flower bloomed delicately in the garden, adding a touch of color to the landscape.
- He found a diminutive frog hopping along the path during his nature walk.
- They served diminutive cupcakes at the tea party, each one decorated with intricate frosting designs.
2
(of a name, suffix, or grammatical form) indicating smallness or a lesser degree, often used to convey affection
- The diminutive form "duckling" uses the suffix "-ling" to denote a young or small duck.
- In some languages, diminutive endings can change the tone of a noun to reflect endearment or triviality.
- The diminutive suffix "-ette" in "kitchenette" implies a smaller or more compact version of a kitchen.
- The use of diminutive suffixes can alter the perceived size or importance of the object in grammatical terms.
- He often called his daughter by a diminutive pet name.