minority
/maɪˈnoɹ.ɪ.ti/
Word Rarity
Uncommon
Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.41 in modern English
13
Scrabble Score
8
Letters
4
Syllables
7
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
The state or condition of being smaller, inferior, or subordinate to something or someone else; lesserness.
Countable; Uncountable
noun
The state of being a minor; youth, the period of a person's life prior to reaching adulthood.
Countable; Uncountable
noun
A group of people seen as distinct who are subordinated and discriminated against in a society.
Countable; Uncountable
adj
Of or relating to a minority.
adj
Empowered by or representing a minority (usually a plurality) of votes cast, legislative seats, etc., rather than an outright majority thereof.
Example Sentences
- "And lest any man should think her intent was to unnestle ill neighbours, and not to aid good neighbours, or that she was readier to restore what was invaded by others than to render what was in her own hands; see if the time provided not a new occasion afterwards, when through their own division, without the intermise of strangers, her forces were again sought and required; she forsook them not, prevailed so far as to be possessed of the castle of Edinburgh, the principal strength of that kingdom, with peace, incontinently, without cunctations or cavillations, the preambles of a wavering faith, she rendered with all honour and security; and his person to safe and faithful hands; and so ever after during his minority continued his principal guardian and protector."
- "She also played a key role as dowager-regent during the minority of her son."
- "Most people agreed, but a sizable minority were upset by the decision."
- "Chuhsiung was in the heart of Yi country. The Yi made up the largest minority in Yunnan, with over three million members as of 1990. And their biggest concentration was in the mountains around Chuhsiung."
- "The case is the latest chapter in a decade-long struggle by the nation's elite minority to crush the powerful political machine founded by Yingluck's brother, Thaksin Shinawatra, who was toppled in another coup in 2006."
- "The company claims it has hired several minorities since the complaint was lodged."
Etymology
From Late Middle English minoritie, from Middle French minorité, and its source Late Latin minōritās, from Latin minor. Morphologically minor + -ity.
Origin
Word Breakdown
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /maɪˈnoɹ.ɪ.ti/
- British English: /maɪˈnɒɹ.ɪ.ti/
Usage
- Countable
- Uncountable
- American usage
- Indian usage