minute
- 01 A1 Beginner
n.a period of time that lasts 60 seconds.
n.a unit of time equal to one-sixtieth of an hour.
Simple“The eggs need to boil for exactly six minutes to be perfect.”
In context“The train was delayed by only a few minutes, yet the platform was already crowded with frustrated commuters.”
Synonyms - 02 A2 Elementary
n.a very short, often unspecified amount of time.
n.an informal designation for a brief but indefinite duration.
Simple“Wait a minute, I forgot my keys on the kitchen table.”
In context“Could you spare a minute to review these figures before the presentation begins?”
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.the official written record of what people said and decided at a meeting.
n.the formal written record of the proceedings and resolutions of a meeting.
Simple“The secretary took the minutes during the board meeting.”
In context“After the chairperson approved the minutes of the previous session, the committee moved to the first item on the agenda.”
UsageUsually used in the plural form: 'the minutes'.
Synonyms - 04 C1 Advanced
n.a long period of time.
n.a dialectal or slang use referring to a significant or extended duration rather than a short one.
Simple“I haven't seen him in a minute; he looks so different now.”
In context“It has been a minute since we last collaborated on a project of this scale and complexity.”
- 05 C1 Advanced
adj.extremely small or tiny.
adj.extremely small in size, amount, or degree. Pronounced /maɪˈnjuːt/.
Simple“The machine can detect even minute amounts of dust in the air.”
In context“The forensic team spent hours searching the carpet for minute traces of evidence that might link the suspect to the scene.”
Teacher's tipRemind students that the pronunciation changes from the noun (MIN-it) to the adjective (my-NYOOT).
PitfallThe insect was very minute. The insect was minute.Minute is an absolute adjective; it already means 'extremely small', so adding 'very' is usually redundant.
Synonyms - 06 C1 Advanced
adj.paying great attention to very small details.
adj.characterised by precise and exhaustive attention to small details. Pronounced /maɪˈnjuːt/.
Simple“She gave a minute description of the man she saw running away.”
In context“The contract was subject to minute examination by the legal team to ensure no loopholes remained.”
Synonyms - 07 C2 Proficiency
v.to write down what happens in a meeting.
v.to record the proceedings of a meeting in the official minutes.
Simple“The decision was minuted so that everyone would remember it later.”
In context“The secretary was instructed to minute the dissent of the minority members to ensure a complete historical record of the debate.”
UsageUsually used in administrative or legal contexts.
Usage minute of added
“With Boro leading 1-0 in the 80th minute through a Lankshear goal, the striker slowly jogged off the pitch while clapping the fans.”
“The Black Queens got off to a bad start in their game on Thursday with Princess Marfo penalised for an apparent foul on Ivorian captain Bernadette Amani in the area in the first minute.”
From Middle English mynute, minute, mynet, from Old French minute, from Medieval Latin minūta (“60th of an hour; note”). Doublet of menu and menudo.
Borrowed from Latin minūtus (“small", "petty”), perfect passive participle of minuō (“make smaller”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.