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minor

/ˈmaɪnɚ/

When used as a noun to describe someone under the legal age, "minor" is a countable noun. You can say "a minor" or "minors." In academic contexts, using "minor" as a verb (e.g., "I am minoring in history") is very common in North American English but may be less frequent in other regions. When describing music, "minor" is usually not capitalized unless it starts a sentence or is part of a formal title.

💬Casual Conversation

🎬Tuesday afternoon, Chloe is procrastinating on her degree requirements in the library.
Chloe Smith

think i'm gonna pivot and just minor in art history instead.

Chloe Smith
Maya
Maya

stop flakeing out. you're already drowning in credits.

💡
Chloe is considering changing her secondary field of study (minor). Maya uses the slang 'flakeing out' to describe Chloe's tendency to abandon plans or commitments impulsively.

Meanings

adjective

Lesser in importance, seriousness, or significance.

"The car suffered only minor damage in the accident."

noun

A person under the legal age of full responsibility.

"It is illegal to sell alcohol to a minor."

noun

A secondary subject of study in a college or university degree.

"He is majoring in Economics with a minor in Psychology."

adjective

In music, a scale or key characterized by a third that is one semitone lower than the major third, often sounding sad.

"The piece was written in C minor to evoke a sense of melancholy."

verb (transitive)

To study a subject as a secondary specialization in college.

"She decided to minor in French while studying International Relations."

Related Words

Last Updated: May 22, 2026Report an Error