What is minor? Pronunciation and usage in English

minor means . Learn how to pronounce and use minor through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of minor

minoradjective

/ˈmʌɪnə/
Definition & pronunciation of minor

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "minor." It's a tricky one for many English learners! Here's a breakdown:

The most common and generally accepted pronunciation is:

  • /ˈmaɪnər/ (This is phonetic spelling - it represents how it sounds)

Let's break that down syllable by syllable:

  1. "mi-" - Sounds like "my" (as in "my car"). It's a short, quick vowel sound.

  2. "-nor" - This is the tricky part. It's NOT "nor" like in "north." It's pronounced like "ner." The "r" is very subtle, almost like a very light "d" sound. Think of the sound you make when you say "dinner." It's a quick, almost swallowed "r."

Here's a way to think about it:

Imagine saying "my-ner" quickly. The "r" is very, very light and blends into the "e."

Resources to help you hear it:

Important note: You might hear slightly different variations, but the pronunciation above is the most frequently used and understood.

Do you want me to:

  • Give you another example word and its pronunciation?
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Usage and examples with the word minor in English

Let's break down how to use the word "minor" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with several different meanings! Here's a breakdown, categorized for clarity:

1. As an Adjective (Most Common Usage): Meaning "Small or Insignificant"

  • Describing Quantity or Degree: This is the most frequent usage. It means something is not very important or significant.
    • Example: "The damage was minor – just a scratch on the car."
    • Example: “Don't worry about it, it's a minor inconvenience.”
    • Example: “She only received a minor injury.”
    • Synonyms: slight, trivial, negligible, unimportant, small

2. As a Noun (Referring to Age): Meaning "Under the Age of Majority"

  • Legal Definition: Someone who is younger than the legal age of adulthood (usually 18).
    • Example: "The minor was allowed to sign a contract with parental consent."
    • Example: “He’s a minor and cannot vote.”
    • Related Terms: “Child,” “Youth,” “Underage.”

3. As a Noun (Referring to a Grade or Level):

  • Schooling: This refers to a lower grade or level of study.
    • Example: "He’s taking a minor in Art History." (Meaning he’s studying art history as a secondary subject alongside his major.)
    • Example: "She completed a minor in Psychology.”

4. As a Verb (Less Common): Meaning “To Reduce or Diminish”

  • Reducing Importance: To lessen the significance of something.
    • Example: “The judge decided to minor the sentence.” (Meaning the sentence was reduced.)
    • Example: “The company minored the cost of the project.” (Meaning they reduced the cost.)

Here's a table summarizing the different uses:

Part of Speech Meaning Example
Adjective Small, insignificant "It was a minor issue."
Noun Under the age of majority "He's a minor."
Noun A lower grade/level of study "She’s studying a minor in Biology."
Verb To reduce or diminish “They minored the damages.”

Tips for Using "Minor" Correctly:

  • Context is key. Pay attention to how the word is used in the sentence to understand its meaning.
  • Be mindful of the noun vs. adjective usage. Ensure you’re describing something as ‘small’ (adjective) or referring to someone’s age (noun).
  • Synonyms can help clarify: If you’re unsure, consider using a synonym like “small,” “insignificant,” or “slight.”

Do you want me to:

  • Give you more examples of how to use "minor" in a specific context (e.g., in a legal setting, in a description of an injury)?
  • Explain the difference between "minor" and related words like "minority"?
  • Provide some practice sentences for you to try?

Synonyms for the word minor

Practice with vocabulary minor

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The project encountered a ______ setback, but it did not delay the overall timeline significantly.
  2. When editing, you must focus on the ______ details; even tiny errors can undermine credibility.
  3. As part of the company's code of conduct, all employees must disclose any potential conflicts of interest, no matter how ______.
  4. The recent market fluctuation had only a ______ effect on our long-term investments.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Which of the following best describes an issue that is of little consequence? a) primary b) crucial c) minor d) substantial

  2. During the systems upgrade, we anticipate only a ______ disruption to services. (Select all that apply.) a) significant b) trivial c) minor d) negligible

  3. Identifying the ______ cause of the system failure required extensive diagnostic tests. a) inconsequential b) main c) trivial d) insignificant

  4. A student pursuing a ______ in marketing alongside a ______ in finance broadens their career opportunities. (Select the best pair of words for the blanks.) a) major / minor b) minor / major c) main / secondary d) secondary / primary

  5. Which of these words emphasizes a very small or barely noticeable quantity or degree? a) extensive b) considerable c) minimal d) profound

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: The incident caused only a small disturbance in the office. Rewrite: (Begin with "The incident caused only a...")

  2. Original: Individuals under the age of 18 are not permitted to sign legal contracts independently. Rewrite: (Begin with "Minors...")

  3. Original: Her contribution to the project was so small that it barely made a difference. Rewrite: (Begin with "Her contribution to the project was so...")

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. minor
  2. minute
  3. minor
  4. slight

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. c) minor
  2. b) trivial, c) minor, d) negligible
  3. b) main
  4. b) minor / major
  5. c) minimal

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The incident caused only a minor disturbance in the office.
  2. Minors are not permitted to sign legal contracts independently.
  3. Her contribution to the project was so negligible that it barely made a difference.

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