# minor

/ˈmaɪnɝ/ (US) · /mˈaɪnɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/minor
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. small or unimportant

adjective · CEFR B1

small in size, amount, or importance when compared to other things.

For teachers: lesser in importance, size, degree, or significance relative to others of the same kind.

- The car had some minor damage after the accident, but it still worked fine.
- The researchers noted a minor discrepancy in the data, though it was not significant enough to alter the final conclusion of the study.

### 2. a child or legal youth

noun · CEFR B2

a person who is not yet an adult in the eyes of the law, usually under 18.

For teachers: a person who has not yet reached the age of legal majority and is therefore subject to specific legal protections and restrictions.

- It is illegal to sell alcohol to a minor in most countries.
- The court appointed a legal guardian to represent the interests of the minor during the inheritance dispute.

### 3. secondary university subject

noun · CEFR B2 · American English

a second subject that a student studies at university, which requires fewer classes than their main subject.

For teachers: a formally recognized secondary area of undergraduate study requiring fewer credits than a major.

- She is doing a major in History with a minor in French.
- Choosing a minor in Statistics proved beneficial for his career in social research, providing him with essential quantitative skills.

### 4. to study a secondary subject

verb · CEFR B2 · American English

to study a specific second subject at university.

For teachers: to pursue a secondary academic discipline as an undergraduate student; almost exclusively used with the preposition 'in'.

- I decided to minor in Economics because I thought it would help me find a job.
- He chose to minor in Philosophy to complement his primary studies in Physics, hoping to explore the theoretical foundations of science.

Usage: The verb is intransitive and typically takes the preposition 'in'.

### 5. musical scale/key

adjective · CEFR B2

describes a scale or key that often sounds sad or serious to the listener.

For teachers: relating to a scale or key based on a musical mode containing a minor third; often contrasted with 'major' in Western tonal music.

- The song is written in a minor key, which gives it a very sad feeling.
- The composer transitioned from a bright C major opening to a haunting melody in A minor to evoke a sense of longing.

## Examples

- The shop cannot sell alcohol to a minor.
- She decided to pursue a major in history with a minor in political science to broaden her career options.
- Legal protections for a minor differ significantly from those afforded to adults, particularly regarding the capacity to enter into binding contracts or consent to certain medical procedures.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.