First Known Use: 1526
Dictionary
1minor
adjective mi·nor \ˈmī-nər\
: not very important or valuable
: small in number, quantity, or extent
: not very serious : not causing much trouble or damage
Full Definition of MINOR
1
: inferior in importance, size, or degree : comparatively unimportant
2
: not having reached majority
3
a : having half steps between the second and third, the fifth and sixth, and sometimes the seventh and eighth degrees <minor scale> b : based on a minor scale <minor key> c : less by a semitone than the corresponding major interval <minor third> d : having a minor third above the root <minor triad>
4
: not serious or involving risk to life <minor illness>
5
: of or relating to an academic subject requiring fewer courses than a major
See minor defined for English-language learners
See minor defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of MINOR
Latin, smaller, inferior; akin to Old High German minniro smaller, Latin minuere to lessen
Related to MINOR
2minor
noun
: a person who is not yet old enough to have the rights of an adult
: a second subject studied by a college or university student in addition to a main subject
Full Definition of MINOR
1
: a person who is not yet old enough to have the rights of an adult
2
: a minor musical interval, scale, key, or mode
3
a : a minor academic subject b : a student taking a specified minor
4
: a determinant or matrix obtained from a given determinant or matrix by eliminating the row and column in which a given element lies
5
plural : minor league baseball —used with the
See minor defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of MINOR
1612
Other Education Terms
3minor
verb
Definition of MINOR
intransitive verb
: to take courses in a minor subject
See minor defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of MINOR
1926
Other Education Terms
MINOR Defined for Kids
1minor
adjective mi·nor \ˈmī-nər\
Definition of MINOR for Kids
1
: not great in size, importance, or seriousness <minor details> <a minor injury>
2
: of or relating to a musical scale having the third tone lowered a half step
2minor
noun
Definition of MINOR for Kids
: a person too young to have the full rights of an adult
Learn More About MINOR
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: minor axisPrevious Word in the Dictionary: Minoan All Words Near: minor
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up minor? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).