1. Size: The most common meaning is small in size. It refers to something that is significantly smaller than its usual or expected size.
Examples:
* "The kitten was diminutive compared to the large dog."
* "He built a diminutive model of the Eiffel Tower."
2. Grammar: Diminutive is also a grammatical term. It refers to a word that indicates a smaller size or a lesser degree of something.
Examples:
* Suffixes: In English, we use suffixes like "-let" (booklet), "-ette" (kitchenette), "-ling" (duckling) to create diminutive forms.
* Other languages: Many languages have specific suffixes or grammatical constructions to create diminutives, like "-ito" in Spanish or "-inho" in Portuguese.
3. Informal: Less formally, "diminutive" can also describe something that is insignificant or unimportant.
Example:
* "The company was so successful that its initial struggles were just a diminutive detail in its history."
In general, "diminutive" implies a lack of size, strength, or importance, but the specific meaning will depend on the context.