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minute

n. · adj. · v.
US //ˈmɪnət// minute
  1. 1 unit of time (n.)
    A1 Beginner

    a period of time that lasts 60 seconds.

    a unit of time equal to one-sixtieth of an hour.

    Example

    The eggs need to boil for exactly six minutes to be perfect.

    Example

    The train was delayed by only a few minutes, yet the platform was already crowded with frustrated commuters.
  2. 2 a short time (n.)
    A2 Elementary Informal

    a very short, often unspecified amount of time.

    an informal designation for a brief but indefinite duration.

    Example

    Wait a minute, I forgot my keys on the kitchen table.

    Example

    Could you spare a minute to review these figures before the presentation begins?
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  1. 3 meeting records (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Formal

    the official written record of what people said and decided at a meeting.

    the formal written record of the proceedings and resolutions of a meeting.

    Example

    The secretary took the minutes during the board meeting.

    Example

    After the chairperson approved the minutes of the previous session, the committee moved to the first item on the agenda.

    Usage

    Usually used in the plural form: 'the minutes'.
  2. 4 a long time (n.)
    C1 Advanced Slang American English Dialect

    a long period of time.

    a dialectal or slang use referring to a significant or extended duration rather than a short one.

    Example

    I haven't seen him in a minute; he looks so different now.

    Example

    It has been a minute since we last collaborated on a project of this scale and complexity.
  3. 5 very small (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Academic Formal

    extremely small or tiny.

    extremely small in size, amount, or degree. Pronounced /maɪˈnjuːt/.

    Example

    The machine can detect even minute amounts of dust in the air.

    Example

    The forensic team spent hours searching the carpet for minute traces of evidence that might link the suspect to the scene.

    Teacher's tip

    Remind students that the pronunciation changes from the noun (MIN-it) to the adjective (my-NYOOT).
    Pitfall
    The insect was very minute.
    The insect was minute.

    Minute is an absolute adjective; it already means 'extremely small', so adding 'very' is usually redundant.

  4. 6 detailed (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Formal Academic

    paying great attention to very small details.

    characterised by precise and exhaustive attention to small details. Pronounced /maɪˈnjuːt/.

    Example

    She gave a minute description of the man she saw running away.

    Example

    The contract was subject to minute examination by the legal team to ensure no loopholes remained.
  5. 7 to record in notes (v.)
    C2 Proficiency Formal Technical

    to write down what happens in a meeting.

    to record the proceedings of a meeting in the official minutes.

    Example

    The decision was minuted so that everyone would remember it later.

    Example

    The secretary was instructed to minute the dissent of the minority members to ensure a complete historical record of the debate.

    Usage

    Usually used in administrative or legal contexts.
Etymology 1

From Middle English mynute, minute, mynet, from Old French minute, from Medieval Latin minūta (“60th of an hour; note”). Doublet of menu and menudo.

Etymology 2

Borrowed from Latin minūtus (“small", "petty”), perfect passive participle of minuō (“make smaller”).

Idioms8 entries

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