Mini means small or miniature, often describing a smaller version of something that's usually bigger. A mini golf course has tiny windmills and castles instead of the vast fairways of regular golf. A mini pizza might be just big enough for one person, while a regular pizza feeds a family.

The word comes from “miniature” but sounds friendlier and more fun. Companies often use it in product names: a Mini Cooper is a small, sporty car, and mini cupcakes are bite-sized treats perfect for parties. You might hear about mini vacations (short trips), mini lessons (quick teaching sessions), or mini versions of popular toys.

Mini usually suggests something cute, convenient, or perfectly sized for a specific purpose. A mini backpack might hold just your essentials for a day trip. A mini library in your neighborhood could be a small box of books for sharing. When something is described as mini, it's not broken or incomplete: it's intentionally small, designed to fit a particular need or space.