A2 noun Neutral #345 most common

minute

/ˈmɪn.ɪt/

A unit of time that is equal to sixty seconds. It is used to measure short periods of time or to describe a specific point within an hour.

Examples

3 of 5
1

I will be ready to leave in just one minute.

I will be prepared to go after sixty seconds have passed.

2

Please allow a minute for the system to process your request.

Please wait a short moment for the computer to complete the task.

3

Wait a minute, I think I left my phone in the car!

Stop for a moment, I believe my phone is still in the vehicle.

Word Family

Noun
minute
Verb
minute
Adverb
minutely
Adjective
momentary
Related
minutes
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Memory Tip

Think of a 'mini' hour—a minute is a small part of an hour.

Quick Quiz

Can you wait for one _______? I need to put on my shoes.

Correct!

The correct answer is: minute

Examples

1

I will be ready to leave in just one minute.

everyday

I will be prepared to go after sixty seconds have passed.

2

Please allow a minute for the system to process your request.

formal

Please wait a short moment for the computer to complete the task.

3

Wait a minute, I think I left my phone in the car!

informal

Stop for a moment, I believe my phone is still in the vehicle.

4

The chemical reaction took exactly one minute to complete.

academic

The scientific process finished in precisely sixty seconds.

5

We need to finish this meeting in five minutes.

business

We must conclude this business discussion within five units of time.

Word Family

Noun
minute
Verb
minute
Adverb
minutely
Adjective
momentary
Related
minutes

Common Collocations

just a minute a very short period of time
last minute the latest possible time before something happens
every minute all the time or very frequently
spare minute extra time when you are not busy
per minute occurring inside each sixty-second period

Common Phrases

wait a minute

used to ask someone to stop or wait briefly

at the last minute

at the final possible moment

minute by minute

happening gradually as time passes

Often Confused With

minute vs minute (adjective)

The noun is pronounced /ˈmɪn.ɪt/ (time), while the adjective is /maɪˈnjuːt/ (very small).

minute vs moment

A minute is an exact measurement of 60 seconds; a moment is an undefined short time.

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Usage Notes

The noun 'minute' is mostly used for time, but in business contexts, 'minutes' (plural) refers to the written record of a meeting.

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Common Mistakes

Learners often mispronounce this word when they mean 'very small' (the adjective form), or they forget to use the plural 'minutes' when referring to more than one.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of a 'mini' hour—a minute is a small part of an hour.

📖

Word Origin

From the Latin 'minuta', which means a small part or a diminished portion.

Grammar Patterns

Countable noun (one minute, two minutes) Often follows the preposition 'in' Used in the plural 'minutes' for meeting records
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Cultural Context

In many English-speaking cultures, 'just a minute' is a polite way to ask for a short, though often unspecified, delay.

Quick Quiz

Can you wait for one _______? I need to put on my shoes.

Correct!

The correct answer is: minute

Related Words

proceed

C1

The noun form, typically used in the plural 'proceeds,' refers to the total amount of money received from a particular event, sale, or activity. It is a formal term used in academic, legal, and business contexts to describe the result of a financial transaction or fundraising effort.

individual

C1

Relating to a single person or thing as distinct from a group. It describes something that is intended for, or used by, one person rather than a collective entity.

appropriately

B2

To perform an action in a manner that is suitable, right, or proper for a particular situation, person, or occasion. It implies following specific social norms, professional standards, or logical requirements.

region

B2

A region is an area of land that has common features, such as geography, climate, or culture, which distinguish it from other areas. It can refer to a large part of a country or the world and is often used in administrative or scientific contexts to organize space.

resource

B2

A stock or supply of money, materials, staff, and other assets that can be drawn on by a person or organization in order to function effectively. In academic and informational contexts, it refers to a source of information or expertise used to support research or learning.

to

A1

Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.

and

A1

A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.

a

A1

A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.

that

A1

This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.

I

A1

The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.

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