# minutiae

/mɪˈnuːʃiiː/ (US) · /mɪnˈjuːʃiiː/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/minutiae
Updated: 2026-10-07

## Senses

### 1. small, precise, or trivial details

noun · CEFR C2

the small, precise, or trivial details of something. You use this when talking about minor points that take time or attention.

For teachers: small, precise, or trivial details considered collectively; fine points or technicalities of a subject or routine.

- She gets bogged down in the minutiae of event planning.
- Rather than getting lost in administrative minutiae, the director focused on overarching strategic goals.

## Examples

- She handles the daily minutiae of running the office.
- Don't get bogged down in the minutiae; focus on the main objective.
- The new manager spent weeks mastering the administrative minutiae of the department before implementing any structural changes.

## Synonyms

details, particulars, technicalities, subtleties, trifles, minutia, niceties, trivialities

## Antonyms

overview, essentials, core, gist

## Pitfalls

- Not "The minutiae is boring." but "The minutiae are boring." — Minutiae is a plural noun derived from Latin. Use plural verb forms like "are" or "were" rather than singular forms.

## Usage notes

- Minutiae is a plural noun taking plural verbs (for example, "The minutiae are complex"). It is commonly paired with adjectives like administrative, legal, or everyday.

---

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.