minute
A1Neutral (applies to all core meanings); Formal/Technical (for the adjective meaning 'detailed' and the noun meaning 'meeting notes').
Definition
Meaning
A period of time equal to sixty seconds.
1. (noun) A very short period of time; a point in time; a summary or record of the proceedings of a meeting. 2. (adjective) Extremely small in size or amount; precise and detailed.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word is a homograph with two distinct pronunciations and meanings. The noun (time/meeting) is extremely common and conceptually basic. The adjective ('tiny/detailed') is less frequent and belongs to a more formal or scientific register.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling in the context of 'meeting minutes' is identical. Pronunciation of the noun is very similar. The adjective form is used identically.
Connotations
In formal British contexts (e.g., Parliament), 'the minutes' can have a stronger institutional connotation.
Frequency
The noun is equally frequent. The adjective is slightly more common in academic/technical writing in both variants.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
for + [period] (Wait for a minute.)[number] + minute(s) + noun (a ten-minute walk)to + verb (It takes a minute to explain.)have + [object] + adjective (She had the minutes typed.)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “at the last minute”
- “the minute (that) ... (conjunction)”
- “up-to-the-minute”
- “not for a/one minute”
- “wait a minute!”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Noun: 'Please circulate the minutes from the board meeting.' Adjective: 'We need a minute analysis of the quarterly figures.'
Academic
Adjective: 'The study required minute observation of cellular changes.'
Everyday
Noun: 'I'll be ready in a minute.'
Technical
Adjective: 'The device can detect minute variations in pressure.' Noun: 'The reaction was complete within minutes.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Could you minute the key action points from the discussion?
- Her resignation was minuted in the official record.
American English
- Please have someone minute the conference call.
- The secretary will minute all motions made by the committee.
adverb
British English
- (Rare/archaic) 'minutely' is used, not 'minute'. E.g., The plan was minutely detailed.
American English
- (Rare/archaic) 'minutely' is used, not 'minute'. E.g., She examined the evidence minutely.
adjective
British English
- The watchmaker performed minute adjustments to the mechanism.
- There's a minute difference between the two samples.
American English
- The scientist observed minute organisms under the microscope.
- He paid minute attention to the contract's wording.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The bus comes in five minutes.
- Wait a minute, please.
- It's ten minutes past two.
- I'll send you the meeting minutes tomorrow.
- Could you spare a minute to help me?
- For a minute, I thought I'd lost my keys.
- The lawyer examined the contract in minute detail.
- At that very minute, the alarm went off.
- The resolution was passed in the last minutes of the session.
- His contribution, though minute, was critical to the project's success.
- The committee's deliberations were minuted with scrupulous accuracy.
- Minute particles of plastic were found in the water supply.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a tiny (minute) watch showing just one minute. The small size of the watch hands helps remember the adjective meaning.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A RESOURCE (to save, spend, waste a minute); SMALL IS UNIMPORTANT (a minute detail).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Confusing the adjective 'minute' (/maɪˈnjuːt/) with the noun 'minute' (/ˈmɪnɪt/).
- Translating 'last minute' (последняя минута) too literally for the idiom 'at the last minute' (в последний момент).
- Using 'минутка' (a cute diminutive) where English would just use 'minute' or 'moment'.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect pronunciation: saying /ˈmaɪnjuːt/ for the time unit.
- Misspelling: 'minuit' for 'minute'.
- Incorrect article use: 'in minute' instead of 'in a minute'.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses the adjective form of 'minute' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
As a noun (pronounced /ˈmɪnɪt/), it refers to a unit of time or a record of a meeting. As an adjective (pronounced /maɪˈnjuːt/), it means 'extremely small' or 'very detailed'.
No. When using a number with 'minute' as a modifier before a noun, use the singular form: 'a 5-minute walk'. The hyphen is important.
Stress the second syllable: /maɪˈnjuːt/ (UK) or /maɪˈnuːt/ (US). It rhymes with 'cute'.
It describes something done at the latest possible time, often causing rush or stress. For example, 'a last-minute change of plans'.
Collections
Part of a collection
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