diminutive
1
7.2
- noun
- /dɪˈmɪn.jʊ.tɪv/
- Specialized
:
diminutivo
- The language Tanga and the narrator speak is at once philosophical and colloquial, colored characteristically by the use of diminutives.
- use of diminutives
Somewhere soft and prima preemies the diminutive for premature babies.
- Somewhere soft and prima preemies the diminutive for premature babies.
Examples
-
Diminutives are often deployed in Spanish to suggest more than endearment; they are ripe for plays with irony (Sol: and Sol 1977: 242).
Academic text (1993) -
Both of our names are diminutives of Elizabeth.
Fiction book (2000) -
He started calling his youngest Sasha, the Russian diminutive of Alexander.
Academic text (2011) -
For example: Stephanie from Steven or Paula from Paul or diminutives like Betty or Patty.
Academic text (1996) -
Many cultures use diminutives to create affectionate or familiar forms of names.
-
In English, common diminutives include 'Johnny' for 'John' and 'Lizzy' for 'Elizabeth'.
-
Teachers often explain how diminutives can indicate a smaller or nicer version of a word.
Synonyms
A nickname used by family or friends to show love, for example Billy for William
Antonyms
How Affectionate
- Informal
5
3.7
- Informal
11
2.1
- Specialized
1
7.2
- Informal
49
2.0
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Diminutive comes from a Latin idea meaning 'to make smaller', and it shares the same root as diminish and words like mini. A helpful way to remember the noun sense is to think of a small form of a word, like -let in 'booklet' or 'duckling', used to show smallness or affection.