A1noun1K

Minute

UK /["/ˈmɪnɪt/"]/US /["/ˈmɪnɪt/"]/

Definition

each of the 60 parts of an hour, that are equal to 60 seconds

In simple words: A very small amount of time or something very small.

Examples

  • Please wait for a minute before starting the test.
  • The meeting will last about thirty minutes.
  • He read the minutes of the previous meeting carefully.
  • The secretary took the minutes during the conference.
  • Every minute detail in the report matters.

Usage notes

Used to refer to time, often in a casual context. Not used in formal writing to describe time intervals longer than an hour. Be cautious of context when talking about minute details.

Grammar pattern

standalone noun

Memory hint

Think of 'minuscule' to remember 'minute' as something very small.

Collocations

  • closing
  • final
  • opening
  • spend
  • last
  • take
  • elapse
  • pass
  • tick by
  • hand
  • after… minutes
  • for… minutes
  • in… minutes
  • last
  • next
  • spare
  • hang on
  • hold on
  • wait
  • in a minute
  • within minutes
  • every waking minute
  • just a minute
  • the minute something happens
  • last
  • next
  • spare
  • hang on
  • hold on
  • wait
  • in a minute
  • within minutes
  • every waking minute
  • just a minute
  • the minute something happens
  • keep
  • take
  • circulate
  • the minutes of a meeting

Synonyms

  • moment
  • time
  • tick
  • small part
  • second

Antonyms

  • hour
  • day

Common mistakes

  • Confused with the word 'minute' meaning tiny.
  • Omitting the context when discussing time, leading to misunderstanding.
  • Mixing up with 'minuette', which is a style of dance.