English · Word Candidate

miniature

/ˈmɪnɪt͡ʃə/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: miniatures · miniaturing · miniatured

Sense 1

Meaning · English

Greatly diminished size or form; reduced scale.

Noun

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

A small version of something; a model of reduced scale.

Noun

Examples

There was a miniature of a whaling ship in a glass bottle over the mantelpiece.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

Smaller than normal.

Adjective

Examples

I find miniature dogs annoying; they seem to yap more than full-size dogs.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Meaning · English

To make smaller than normal; to reproduce in miniature.

Verb

Examples

If it be ever so little removed, or seen thro’ the miniaturing End of the Perspective Glass, it either wholly escapes their Sight, or appears to them a mere Minutity.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “miniature” mean?

Greatly diminished size or form; reduced scale.

Is “miniature” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.