Minor Definition, Meaning and Synonyms
By Muazma Batool & Muneeza Rehman — Updated on March 1, 2024
Minor refers to something less important or smaller in extent. e.g., It was a minor issue that was quickly resolved.
Minor Definitions
In the field of law, it refers to a relatively minor or petty offense, as opposed to a major crime.
Muazma Batool
May 30, 2023
A person who is under the legally established age of full personal responsibility and civil rights, typically under 18 years old.
Muneeza Rehman
May 30, 2023
In the context of studies or academic subjects, a secondary focus or specialization that is less intensive or detailed than a major.
Muneeza Rehman
May 30, 2023
Used as an adjective, it refers to something that is lesser in importance, seriousness, or significance.
Muneeza Rehman
May 30, 2023
Lesser or smaller in amount, extent, or size.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
(Law) Not having reached legal adulthood.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
Chiefly British Relating to or being the younger or junior of two pupils with the same surname.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
Of or relating to a secondary area of academic specialization.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
(Logic) Dealing with a more restricted category.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
Relating to or being a minor scale.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
Less in distance by a half step than the corresponding major interval.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
One that is lesser in comparison with others of the same class.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
(Law) One who has not reached legal adulthood.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
A secondary area of specialized academic study, requiring fewer courses or credits than a major.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
A minor premise.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
A minor term.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
(Music) A minor key, scale, or interval.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
minors(Sports) The minor leagues of a sport, especially baseball.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
Lesser, smaller in importance, size, degree, seriousness, or significance compared to another option, particularly:
of minor importance
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
(law) Underage, not having reached legal majority.
The defendant resides at 123 Fake Street with his partner and two minor children.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
Not serious, not involving risk of death, permanent injury, dangerous surgery, or extended hospitalization.
She suffered a minor injury... There was minor bruising... He has a minor case of puppy love...
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
(music) Smaller by a diatonic semitone than the equivalent major interval.
The interval between minor third while C to E is a major third.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
(music) Incorporating a minor third interval above the (in scales) tonic or (in chords) root note, tending to produce a dark, discordant, sad, or pensive effect.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
Of or related to a minor, a secondary area of undergraduate study.
The minor requirements only involve about 20 hours of classes.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
(mathematics) Of or related to a minor, a determinate obtained by deleting one or more rows and columns from a matrix.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
(logic) Acting as the subject of the second premise of a categorical syllogism, which then also acts as the subject of its conclusion.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
The younger of two pupils with the same surname.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
Of or related to the relationship between the longa and the breve in a score.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
Having semibreves twice as long as a minim.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
Of or related to a minority party.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
(law) A child, a person who has not reached the age of majority, consent, etc. and is legally subject to fewer responsibilities and less accountability and entitled to fewer legal rights and privileges.
No, he can't get a mortgage or sell the house. He's still a minor. For the most part, he can't sign a legally binding contract.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
A lesser person or thing, a person, group, or thing of minor rank or in the minor leagues.
He plays in the minors... She hasn't won a minor since the Sichuan Open... The play is considered one of his minors...
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
(music) minor interval, etc.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
A formally recognized secondary area of undergraduate study, requiring fewer course credits than the equivalent major.
I got a minor in English Lit.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
A person who is completing or has completed such a course of study.
I became an English minor.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
(mathematics) A determinant of a square matrix obtained by deleting one or more rows and columns.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
(Catholicism) Minor: a Franciscan friar, a Clarist nun.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
(logic) minor term.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
(baseball) minor league: the lower level of teams.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
(ice hockey) minor penalty: a penalty requiring a player to leave the ice for 2 minutes unless the opposing team scores.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
(Australian football) behind: a one-point kick.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
ellipsis of minor point: a lesser score formerly gained by certain actions.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
(bridge) minor suit; a card of a minor suit.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
(entomology) Any of various noctuid moths in Europe and Asia, chiefly in the Oligia and Mesoligia genera.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
(entomology) A leaf-cutter worker ant intermediate in size between a minim and a media.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
(campanology) Changes rung on six bells.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
An adolescent, a person above the legal age of puberty but below the age of majority.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
synonym of subtrahend, the amount subtracted from a number.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
The younger brother of a pupil.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
Inferior in bulk, degree, importance, etc.; less; smaller; of little account; as, minor divisions of a body.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
Less by a semitone in interval or difference of pitch; as, a minor third.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
The minor term, that is, the subject of the conclusion; also, the minor premise, that is, that premise which contains the minor term; in hypothetical syllogisms, the categorical premise. It is the second proposition of a regular syllogism, as in the following: Every act of injustice partakes of meanness; to take money from another by gaming is an act of injustice; therefore, the taking of money from another by gaming partakes of meanness.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
A Minorite; a Franciscan friar.
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
of lesser importance or stature or rank;
a minor poet
had a minor part in the play
a minor official
many of these hardy adventurers were minor noblemen
minor back roads
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
inferior in number or size or amount;
a minor share of the profits
Ursa Minor
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
of your secondary field of academic concentration or specialization
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
of lesser seriousness or danger;
suffered only minor injuries
some minor flooding
a minor tropical disturbance
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
limited in size or scope;
a small business
a newspaper with a modest circulation
small-scale plans
a pocket-size country
Muazma Batool
May 03, 2023
Minor Synonyms
Petty
Of little importance; trivial.
The argument was over something petty and inconsequential.
Muazma Batool
Mar 01, 2024
Trivial
Of little value or importance.
They spent the meeting discussing trivial matters.
Muazma Batool
Mar 01, 2024
Marginal
Of only marginal importance; slight.
The improvements made a marginal difference in performance.
Darian
Mar 01, 2024
Negligible
So small or unimportant as to be not worth considering; insignificant.
The difference in their ages was negligible.
Kalel
Mar 01, 2024
Lesser
Not as great in amount or importance.
They focused on the lesser of two evils for the project's compromise.
Muneeza Rehman
Mar 01, 2024
Insignificant
Too small or unimportant to be worth consideration.
The mistake was insignificant and easily corrected.
Muazma Batool
Mar 01, 2024
Secondary
Coming after, less important than, or resulting from someone or something else that is primary.
His interest in the project was secondary to his loyalty to the team.
Muazma Batool
Mar 01, 2024
Junior
Lower in rank or shorter in length of tenure.
The junior analyst was eager to prove her capabilities.
Muneeza Rehman
Mar 01, 2024
Subordinate
Lower in rank or position.
Her concerns were considered subordinate to the company's main goal.
Xavier
Mar 01, 2024
Slight
Small in degree; inconsiderable.
The slight delay did not affect their schedule.
Eleanor
Mar 01, 2024
Minor Idioms
Minor leagues
A category or division that's of lesser importance or status, especially in sports or entertainment.
He started his baseball career in the minor leagues before moving up to the majors.
Muazma Batool
Sep 27, 2023
Minor in something
To specialize in a secondary academic subject.
While majoring in physics, she chose to minor in mathematics.
Muazma Batool
Sep 27, 2023
Minor details
Small or less important aspects or details of something.
We've covered the main points of the project, but we still need to discuss the minor details.
Muazma Batool
Sep 27, 2023
Be in the minor key
To be in a mood of sadness or melancholy.
His music is often in the minor key, reflecting his somber thoughts.
Bronson
Sep 27, 2023
Minor tweaks
Small adjustments or changes.
The design is almost perfect; it just needs a few minor tweaks.
Asaiah
Sep 27, 2023
Minor miracle
Something fortunate that has happened, though it was unlikely.
It was a minor miracle that we finished the project on time given the challenges.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 27, 2023
Nothing major, just minor stuff
Referring to things that aren't of great importance.
I have some tasks to complete before the day ends, nothing major, just minor stuff.
Camila
Sep 27, 2023
Make a mountain out of a minor molehill
To exaggerate a minor issue or problem.
There's no need to get so upset. You're making a mountain out of a minor molehill.
Muazma Batool
Sep 27, 2023
Minor hiccup
A small problem or setback.
The event was a success, with only a minor hiccup during the setup.
Muazma Batool
Sep 27, 2023
Minor in comparison
Less significant when compared to something else.
My problems are minor in comparison to what some others are going through.
Kalel
Sep 27, 2023
Have a minor role
To have a less significant or smaller part in something.
She had a minor role in the movie but still delivered a powerful performance.
Camila
Sep 27, 2023
In a minor capacity
In a lesser role or function.
He worked for that company in a minor capacity before becoming a manager.
Asaiah
Sep 27, 2023
Not a minor feat
An achievement that requires significant effort or skill.
Climbing that mountain is not a minor feat.
Muazma Batool
Sep 27, 2023
In a minor tone
Referring to something said in a sad or melancholic manner.
She recounted the story in a minor tone, highlighting the hardships.
Muazma Batool
Sep 27, 2023
Minor player
A person who is not very important or influential in a particular setting.
In the grand scheme of things, he was a minor player in the industry.
Muazma Batool
Sep 27, 2023
Minor setback
A small obstacle or problem that delays progress.
We faced a minor setback with the supplier, but it's been resolved now.
Camila
Sep 27, 2023
Not the minor bit
Not at all or in no way.
I'm not the minor bit interested in joining that club.
Kalel
Sep 27, 2023
A minor point
A detail that isn't very significant.
It's just a minor point, but could you check the formatting on page 5?
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 27, 2023
Minor slip
A small mistake or oversight.
I had a minor slip in my calculations, but I've corrected it now.
Kalel
Sep 27, 2023
Take a minor approach
To deal with something in a less intense or aggressive way.
Instead of a complete overhaul, they decided to take a minor approach and just update certain parts.
Asaiah
Sep 27, 2023
Minor Meaning in a Sentence
Despite being a minor, she had an old soul and a mature outlook on life.
Muneeza Rehman
May 30, 2023
Her role in the project was minor, but she contributed with great enthusiasm.
Muazma Batool
May 30, 2023
After the car accident, we were relieved to find out the damages were minor.
Muazma Batool
May 30, 2023
He was obsessed with classical music, Bach and Beethoven being his minor obsessions compared to Mozart.
Muneeza Rehman
May 30, 2023
His minor in college was philosophy, which he chose because of his interest in critical thinking.
Muazma Batool
May 30, 2023
He honed his skills and worked hard in the minor leagues, hoping for a chance in the majors.
Muazma Batool
May 30, 2023
The incident was considered a minor violation of the code of conduct.
Muneeza Rehman
May 30, 2023
A minor chord in the piece added a melancholic tone to the otherwise cheerful melody.
Muazma Batool
May 30, 2023
A minor adjustment to the design could drastically improve the functionality of the device.
Muazma Batool
May 30, 2023
Though he was just a minor character in the story, his influence on the protagonist was profound.
Muazma Batool
May 30, 2023
Despite minor setbacks, the team managed to complete the project on time.
Muneeza Rehman
May 30, 2023
She had a minor role in the company but aimed to climb up the ladder with dedication and hard work.
Muneeza Rehman
May 30, 2023
It's a minor issue, nothing that can't be resolved with a little communication.
Muazma Batool
May 30, 2023
The debate over the minor details of the agreement lasted for hours.
Muazma Batool
May 30, 2023
His investment in the stock market was minor, but he was happy with the returns.
Muazma Batool
May 30, 2023
Frequently Asked Questions
What means to be a minor?
Being a minor refers to a person who is under the legal age of adulthood, which varies by country but is typically 18 or 21. This status affects a person's legal rights and responsibilities.
Muneeza Rehman
May 30, 2023
Is minor an adjective?
Yes, the minor is an adjective. It describes a noun as lesser in importance, size, or degree. It can also be a noun in certain contexts, such as in legal and academic terms.
Muazma Batool
May 30, 2023
Does minor mean little?
In some contexts, minor can mean little, small, or less in terms of importance, size, or degree. It can refer to something of lesser importance or significance but does not directly mean 'little' as a standalone term.
Muazma Batool
May 30, 2023
What is the synonym of minor?
A synonym of a minor could be 'insignificant' when referring to importance or 'junior' when referring to age or rank.
Muneeza Rehman
May 30, 2023
What is the plural of minor?
The plural of a minor remains 'minor' when referring to individuals under the legal age of adulthood. However, in terms of a subject of academic study, it can be referred to as 'minors.'
Muazma Batool
May 30, 2023
What is a minor of age?
A minor of age refers to a person who has not yet reached the age of legal adulthood and therefore does not have an adult's full legal rights and responsibilities.
Muazma Batool
May 30, 2023
How long is a minor?
The term minor typically applies to individuals from birth until they reach legal adulthood. The exact age depends on jurisdiction, but it is usually either 18 or 21.
Muazma Batool
May 30, 2023
What is the difference between a major and a minor?
In an academic context, a major is the primary area of study chosen by a student, often requiring a substantial portion of their coursework, while a minor is a secondary area of study requiring fewer courses. In other contexts, the terms signify scale, significance, or age differences.
Muazma Batool
May 30, 2023
What is a double minor?
A double minor in academics is when a student completes two sets of minor studies along with their major. This usually involves fulfilling the course requirements for two distinct subjects outside their major field of study.
Muazma Batool
May 30, 2023
What is the difference between double major and minor?
A double major means a student has completed two sets of major degree requirements, often in closely related fields. A minor, on the other hand, requires fewer courses and represents a secondary area of study.
Muneeza Rehman
May 30, 2023
Are adults called majors?
The term "major" can be used in certain contexts to denote adulthood or legal majority. It's not common in everyday usage, particularly in English-speaking countries. Most often, the term "adult" refers to individuals who have reached the age of majority. However, it's essential to know that terms and their meanings can vary depending on jurisdiction and cultural context. In some legal documents or contexts, "major" might be used to contrast with "minor," but this is not the typical usage in common language.
Muazma Batool
May 30, 2023
What is another word for minor?
Another word for a minor could be 'lesser,' 'secondary,' 'junior,' or 'trivial,' depending on the context.
Muazma Batool
May 30, 2023
What type of a word is minor?
Minor is an adjective when used to describe a noun as lesser or secondary, such as in 'minor role.' It can also be a noun when referring to a person who is under the age of legal adulthood.
Muneeza Rehman
May 30, 2023
What is the singular of minor?
Minor is both the singular and plural form when referring to a person under the age of legal adulthood. It doesn't change based on the number.
Muazma Batool
May 30, 2023
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