Less & Smaller
English Language: KS3, topic 4.2.15
Min - Less
Words beginning with 'min' generally mean something is less or smaller than something else.
Minor
- The adjective minor means of less importance. From minor, we get the word minority, which means the smaller part or number of something.
- Example: Patrick missed his bus this morning, which was a minor inconvenience.
- Alternative: Patrick missed his bus this morning, which was a small inconvenience.
Minuscule
- Minuscule means very small.
- Example: Chris must be hungry as his lunch was minuscule.
- Alternative: Chris must be hungry as his lunch was tiny.
Minimum
- A minimum is the smallest amount possible.
- Example: Terry had very little motivation to exercise. He did the bare minimum to stay in shape.
- Alternative: Terry had very little motivation to exercise. He did the least amount possible to stay in shape.
Minute
- Minute means very, very small.
- Example: The mouse was so minute we could hardly see it.
- Alternative: The mouse was so tiny we could hardly see it.
Micr - Small
Words beginning with 'micr' generally mean something is small.
Microscope
- A microscope lets us look at objects that are too small to look at with the naked eye.
- Things that are microscopic are technically so small that we can only see them with a microscope. We also use this word in everyday life to mean very, very small!
- Example: The dining hall serves food in microscopic portions!
- Alternative: The dining hall serves food in minuscule portions.
Microorganism
- A microorganism is a microscopic organism - an organism we can only see under a microscope.
- Example: Bacteria, viruses and fungi are examples of microorganisms.
Microeconomics
- Microeconomics looks at economics at an individual and business level. Microeconomics looks at the smaller picture compared to macroeconomics, which looks at the economy at a national level.
- Example: Troy was rubbish at microeconomics, but he passed his macroeconomics exam comfortably.
Micromanage
- To micromanage is to manage every part of an operation or situation, no matter how small.
- Example: It was not his place to micromanage the office.
- Alternative: It was not his place to manage every part of the office.
Microwave
- A microwave is a tiny electromagnetic wave.
- These kinds of waves can be used for cooking food. Unsurprisingly, microwave ovens cook food using microwaves.
- Example: Carris had bought a ready meal for dinner, forgetting that she did not own a microwave.
Test yourself on Less & Smaller
What does the prefix 'min' generally mean?
What does the prefix 'micr' generally mean?
What does the prefix 'micr' generally mean?