Diminutive means very small, often in a way that seems cute or endearing. A kitten is diminutive compared to a full-grown cat. A violinist's pinky finger makes diminutive movements to create vibrato on the strings.

The word carries a gentler feeling than just saying “small” or “tiny.” When you call someone's grandmother a diminutive woman, you're noting her small stature with affection and respect, not criticism. A dollhouse contains diminutive furniture: miniature chairs, beds, and tables that charm us precisely because they're perfectly formed but wonderfully small.

In language, a diminutive can also mean a special form of a word that expresses smallness or affection. “Booklet” is a diminutive of “book,” meaning a small book. Many nicknames work this way: “Johnny” is a diminutive of “John,” and “kitty” is a diminutive of “cat.” These forms often sound friendlier or more personal than the original word.

The opposite of diminutive would be words like massive, enormous, or towering. When something is diminutive, its smallness is the first thing you notice about it.