What is minute? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of minute

minutenoun

/ˈmɪnɪt/
Definition & pronunciation of minute

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "minute" in English! It's a tricky one because it's often mispronounced. Here's a breakdown:

The correct pronunciation is: /ˈmɪnɪt/ (MIN-it)

Let's break it down syllable by syllable:

  • "Min" - /ˈmɪn/: This sounds like the word "win" but with a shorter vowel sound. It's almost like you're saying "min" quickly. Think of the "i" as a very short "ih" sound.

  • "ute" - /t/: This is a very short, almost silent "t" sound. It's often barely noticeable.

Putting it together:

It's really about the emphasis on the first syllable ("MIN"). The second syllable ("it") is very quick.

Here are some tips:

  • Don’t say "minute" like "min-yoot." That's a very common mistake!
  • Focus on the short "ih" sound in "min."
  • Practice saying it slowly: /ˈmɪnɪt/ Break it down into the two syllables.

Resources to hear it:

Do you want me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation for you?
  • Give you some example sentences using the word "minute"?

Usage and examples with the word minute in English

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

1. As a Unit of Time (Most Common)

  • Meaning: A minute is 60 seconds.
  • Examples:
    • "I'll be there in a minute." (meaning "soon")
    • "The meeting starts in two minutes."
    • "He waited for a minute before answering the phone."
    • "She spent a minute thinking about the problem."

2. Referring to a Small Amount of Time (Adverb)

  • Meaning: A very short period; briefly.
  • Examples:
    • "Just minute! I need to grab my keys." (informal, emphasizing shortness)
    • "He glanced minute at the document." (meaning he looked at it briefly)
    • “Could you explain that minute?” (meaning “quickly,” “briefly”)

3. "Minute" as a Small or Insignificant Detail

  • Meaning: A small or unimportant detail; a trivial matter. This is a more formal usage.
  • Examples:
    • “Don’t get bogged down in minute details.” (Don't worry about small details.)
    • "The report focused on the minute aspects of the project." (The report didn’t focus on major things.)
    • "He was obsessed with minute discrepancies." (He was overly concerned with trivial differences.)

4. "Minute" as a Recording Device (Less Common Now)

  • Meaning: Historically, a "minute" was a mechanical device used to record speeches or discussions, similar to a dictaphone. It's now rarely used in this sense.
  • Example: "The judge reviewed the minutes of the trial." (Here, "minutes" refers to the written record of what happened.)

5. "Minutes" (plural)

  • Meaning: The written record of a meeting, including decisions, motions, and attendees.
  • Examples:
    • "I need to review the minutes from the last board meeting."
    • “The minutes were approved unanimously.”

Here's a table summarizing the uses:

Form Meaning Example
Minute 60 seconds "It will take a minute."
Minute A brief period "Just minute!"
Minute Small detail "Don't worry about minute details."
Minutes Written record of a meeting "I read the minutes of the meeting."

Tips for Using "Minute":

  • Context is Key: The meaning of "minute" depends heavily on the context.
  • Informal vs. Formal: "A minute" (as a unit of time) is very common in everyday speech. “Minute” as a small detail is more formal.
  • "Minutes" is the plural form: Always use "minutes" when referring to multiple records or instances.

Do you want me to:

  • Give you more examples of how to use "minute" in a specific context (e.g., business, conversation)?
  • Explain the difference between “minute” and “moment” (they are often confused)?

Synonyms for the word minute

Practice with vocabulary minute

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

Please fill in the blank with the most appropriate word.

  1. Please wait a ______; I'll be right with you after this critical call.
  2. The client expects an update on the progress every ______ for the next hour to ensure everything is on track.
  3. For a brief ______, I considered pursuing a different career path, but then I reaffirmed my passion for this field.
  4. The quarterly budget review is scheduled to last an ______ and will cover all departmental expenditures.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

Select the best option(s) to complete each sentence. There may be multiple correct answers.

  1. Please give me a few ______ to review the revised proposal before the project briefing begins. A. minutes B. hours C. years D. centuries

  2. The incident report requires us to track every ______ of the system downtime to provide an accurate timeline for the stakeholders. A. moment B. second C. minute D. instant

  3. The CEO's spontaneous address lasted only a few ______, but it greatly boosted morale across the organization. A. minutes B. hours C. weeks D. epochs

  4. I just need a ______ to grab my notes from my desk before we commence the strategy discussion. A. second B. eternity C. day D. quarter

  5. The architectural firm presented a ______ plan, showing every structural and aesthetic aspect of the building's infrastructure. A. superficial B. vague C. comprehensive D. general

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

Rewrite each sentence according to the instructions provided.

  1. The expert provided a very detailed analysis of the market trends. (Rewrite using a form of "minute")
  2. I'll be there shortly, just give me a moment to finalize this task. (Rewrite using "minute")
  3. We need to update the project schedule very frequently to reflect ongoing changes. (Rewrite using a suitable replacement word for "very frequently", without using "minute")

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. Please wait a minute; I'll be right with you after this critical call.
  2. The client expects an update on the progress every minute for the next hour to ensure everything is on track.
  3. For a brief moment, I considered pursuing a different career path, but then I reaffirmed my passion for this field.
  4. The quarterly budget review is scheduled to last an hour and will cover all departmental expenditures.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. A. minutes
  2. B. second, C. minute, D. instant
  3. A. minutes
  4. A. second
  5. C. comprehensive

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The expert provided a minute analysis of the market trends.
  2. I'll be there in a minute, just give me a moment to finalize this task.
  3. We need to update the project schedule constantly to reflect ongoing changes.

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