# mins

CEFR A1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/mins
Updated: 2026-05-02

## Definition

a short way of writing the word 'minutes'. You usually see this on signs, in recipes, or when texting friends to save space.

For teachers: a standard abbreviation for the plural noun 'minutes'. Used primarily in informal writing, digital communication, or space-constrained contexts like schedules and recipes.

## Examples

- The pasta takes ten mins to cook.
- The bus schedule shows that the next arrival is in approximately five mins.
- While formal reports require the full spelling, informal meeting notes often use mins to record the duration of specific agenda items efficiently.

## Pitfalls

- Not "It takes 10 min." but "It takes 10 mins." — When using the abbreviation for plural minutes, 'mins' is the standard informal plural form, though 'min' is sometimes used as a unit symbol.

## Usage notes

- Always used in the plural form when abbreviated as 'mins'; the singular 'min' is used for one minute.

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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.