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Small word, big mistake: the "miniscule" error

Reviewed and edited by

Lloyd Cooper 25/11/2024, 09:01

English.me team member

What kind of error is it?

Miniscule or minuscule. What's correct?

It's a spelling error.

Why do people make this mistake?

People often assume the word is related to the prefix "mini-" meaning small, leading them to spell it as "miniscule". In reality, "minuscule" is derived from the Latin word "minus" meaning "less", which is why the correct spelling includes a "u" after the "n".

What is correct?

The correct spelling is "minuscule", which is an adjective meaning extremely small or tiny.

Examples of correct usage

The chances of winning the lottery are minuscule.
Scientists observed the minuscule organisms under the microscope.
She received a minuscule amount of compensation for her efforts.

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