What does minor mean?
Minor describes something that is less important, extensive, severe, or significant than something else. It is commonly used for problems, details, changes, roles, and complications, often implying that a matter is worth noting but unlikely to have serious consequences. The word can also describe a relatively small category, such as a minor adjustment, or refer to a person who has not reached the age of legal adulthood. In music, a minor key or scale is distinguished by a lowered third degree, and “C minor” is a familiar example. Although “minor” can imply insignificance, it is not always dismissive: a minor role may still be meaningful, and a minor fault may still matter in a particular context. The word derives ultimately from the Latin comparative minor, meaning “smaller” or “lesser.”
Of lesser importance, size, degree, or severity; not major. In music, it denotes a key, chord, or scale based on a lowered third degree.
"The damage was minor and required only a quick repair."
The legal sense denotes a person below the age of legal adulthood.
A person of minor importance, especially in a historical or literary context; also a musical key based on a lowered third degree.
"The melody returns in the relative minor."
The sense meaning a person of little importance is now largely literary or archaic. Musical uses include minor keys and the relative minor.
The usual plural refers to people below the age of legal adulthood. Musical senses are normally treated as singular or used in the plural form of related expressions.
"The programme welcomes students from several schools and provides support for minors."
Minor comes from the Latin comparative minor, literally “smaller” or “lesser,” and gave English words including minimum, minus, and minority.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does minor come from?
The word comes from Latin minor, a comparative adjective meaning “smaller” or “lesser.” It entered English through French and was initially used especially in legal and religious contexts before broadening to general usage. Latin minimum and minus are related formations, while English minority was developed from the same Latin word. The musical sense developed later from the established Latin terminology for the three scale types.
Related word forms
How minor is actually used
In everyday use, “minor” often suggests that something is relatively unimportant, although it can also mean merely smaller in scale. In legal contexts, a minor is a person below the age of legal adulthood. The musical sense refers to a key or scale in which the third degree is lowered by a semitone.
Easily confused with minor
Minor means lesser in importance, severity, or significance, whereas major means chiefly, prominently, or to a greater extent.