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Heteronym (Homograph)

How to Pronounce minute vs minute

Key Pronunciation Contrast

‘Minute’ (sixty seconds) is ⁄ˈmɪn.ɪt⁄; ‘minute’ (extremely tiny or subtle) is ⁄maɪˈnjuːt⁄.

Contrast: ⁄ˈmɪn.ɪt⁄ (60s) vs ⁄maɪˈnjuːt⁄ (tiny)

minute

⁄ˈmɪnɪt⁄

Syllables

MIN·ute

Definition:

A unit of time which is one sixtieth of an hour (sixty seconds).

“Holonyms: hectosecond < kilosecond < hour < day < week < megasecond < fortnight < month < year < gigasecond < century < kiloannum, kiloyear, millennium < terasecond < mega-annum, megayear < petasecond < giga-annum, gigayear < exasecond < zettasecond < yottasecond < ronnasecond < quettasecond”

minute

⁄ˈmɪnɪt⁄

Syllables

MIN·ute

Definition:

A unit of time which is one sixtieth of an hour (sixty seconds).

“Holonyms: hectosecond < kilosecond < hour < day < week < megasecond < fortnight < month < year < gigasecond < century < kiloannum, kiloyear, millennium < terasecond < mega-annum, megayear < petasecond < giga-annum, gigayear < exasecond < zettasecond < yottasecond < ronnasecond < quettasecond”

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Frequently Asked Questions: minute vs minute

What is the difference in pronunciation between "minute" and "minute"?

‘Minute’ (sixty seconds) is ⁄ˈmɪn.ɪt⁄; ‘minute’ (extremely tiny or subtle) is ⁄maɪˈnjuːt⁄.

Where does the syllable stress fall in "minute" vs "minute"?

"minute" has 2 syllable(s) (min · ute) with stress on "MIN". "minute" has 2 syllable(s) (min · ute) with stress on "MIN".

Why do English learners often confuse "minute" and "minute"?

Learners frequently confuse them due to the close sound contrast: ⁄ˈmɪn.ɪt⁄ (60s) vs ⁄maɪˈnjuːt⁄ (tiny). In rapid spoken English, context and vowel duration are the primary differentiators.

What are example sentences for "minute" and "minute"?

Example for "minute": "Holonyms: hectosecond < kilosecond < hour < day < week < megasecond < fortnight < month < year < gigasecond < century < kiloannum, kiloyear, millennium < terasecond < mega-annum, megayear < petasecond < giga-annum, gigayear < exasecond < zettasecond < yottasecond < ronnasecond < quettasecond" Example for "minute": "Holonyms: hectosecond < kilosecond < hour < day < week < megasecond < fortnight < month < year < gigasecond < century < kiloannum, kiloyear, millennium < terasecond < mega-annum, megayear < petasecond < giga-annum, gigayear < exasecond < zettasecond < yottasecond < ronnasecond < quettasecond"