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miniature

Adjective[C/U] Both
pl: miniatures

The term evokes a sense of precision and deliberate craftsmanship. It does not simply mean small, but implies a proportional reduction of a larger original, creating a feeling of a controlled, tiny world. This makes it ideal for hobbies, art, and architectural models. In a social or biological context, it describes a version of something that retains all the characteristics of the full-sized entity but in a compact form. It carries a connotation of charm or curiosity, whereas a word like tiny might simply imply a lack of size without the element of scale or imitation.

Countable when referring to a specific model or painting (a miniature). Uncountable when used as a general descriptive quality of scale.

Meanings

Adjective

Much smaller than normal, often as a scale model.

"a miniature version of the Eiffel Tower"

Noun

A very small copy or model of something.

"He collects miniature trains."

Noun

A small portrait, typically painted on ivory or vellum.

"the queen's miniature was kept in a locket"

Last Updated: May 27, 2026Report an Error