minutes - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
minutes Word Meanings
- a unit of time equal to 60 seconds
- a very small amount
- to take notes during a meeting.
minutes Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
minutes Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ˈmɪnɪt/
US
/ˈmɪnɪt/
minutes Word Etymology
Minute = min- (small) + -ute (indicating diminutive). From Latin minutus → Old French minute → English. Imagine a tiny clock with its hands moving slowly, showcasing each second as a small moment in time.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputEnglish Brain Route
You pick up a tiny timer and set the first tick by turning the dial, then push it to start. The seconds move past as you switch attention between the clock and the notes you’re taking, and you adjust your pace to stay on rhythm. It feels like a small but steady effort you hold in your focus, a moment you keep tight in your awareness. In a meeting, you shift your hand to the page, decide what to capture, and the minute slips by as you set your mind to follow the talk.
Real Context
Minute is one of those English words that wears more than one hat. As a noun it means a period of time equal to sixty seconds, but you can also use it to refer to a written record of a meeting or formal gathering, i. e., the minutes. As an adjective, minute can describe something very small or fine, though this sense is often replaced by minuscule or tiny in everyday speech. Learners often confuse the noun and the adjective, or mispronounce minute as MIN-it rather than my-NOOT. In conversations, you might say 'a minute to spare' or 'the minute details,' but be aware that the latter sounds formal and a bit old-fashioned. When taking notes in a meeting, you produce minutes rather than minutes long content.
Usage Reminders
- Remember the two pronunciations: /ˈmɪnɪt/ for the noun and /maɪˈnjuːt/ for the adjective. Watch for the plural 'minutes' vs the singular 'minute' when talking about time vs notes. Use 'minutes' when referring to the written record of a meeting. For very small things, prefer minuscule or tiny in everyday speech. Distinguish 'in a minute' (soon) from 'a minute' (sixty seconds). Practice distinguishing the two senses in context to avoid confusion.
Common Misconceptions
- Confusing minute (small) with minute ( sixty seconds) due to spelling.
- Pronouncing minute as MIN-it instead of my-NOOT.
- Using minute in front of plural nouns to mean 'short time' (incorrect in most contexts).
- Mixing up minutes (the record) with minutes (the time unit).
- Assuming minute always means 'tiny' in every context; in formal writing it often means the time unit or the notes.
Thinking Differences
Minute is tricky for learners because English uses two different senses and two pronunciations. Emphasize that the noun is a time unit and the plural form is minutes, while the adjective means small and is often replaced by minuscule in everyday speech.
Learning Tips
- Practice both pronunciations: MIN-it for the noun sense and my-NOOT for the adjective sense.
- Keep straight 60 seconds vs. a minute as a time-length term.
- Remember minutes with a written record, not just a timer.
- When you mean very small, prefer minuscule or tiny in casual speech.
- Use context to decide whether minute means a short duration or a small detail.
- Create flashcards for common collocations like 'minute details' and 'in a minute'.
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the meaning of the word 'minutes'?
A.A unit of time equal to 60 seconds
B.A short document summarizing proceedings
C.The plural of 'minute', meaning very small
D.A measure used for cooking
Step 2: Usage
How is the word 'minutes' used in a sentence?
A.She always arrives in minutes to spare.
B.The language of the meeting was minutes long.
C.I walked for minutes before it started to rain.
D.We had a great discussion about the topic in minutes.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is most similar to 'minutes'?
A.Hours
B.Seconds
C.Milliseconds
D.Time
Step 4: Opposite Words
What is the opposite of the word 'minutes'?
A.Days
B.Moments
C.Eons
D.Hours
Step 5: Mastery
Can you think of a real-life context where the term 'minutes' would be relevant?
A.We need to arrive for the show about two and a half hours early.
B.I have a meeting that will last just twenty minutes.
C.The train will leave in just a few moments.
D.He prepared everything an hour before the meeting started.
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