minute
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 5I will be ready to leave in just one minute.
I will be prepared to go after sixty seconds have passed.
Please allow a minute for the system to process your request.
Please wait a short moment for the computer to complete the task.
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.
Synonyms
Word Family
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
I will be ready to leave in just one minute.
everydayI will be prepared to go after sixty seconds have passed.
Please allow a minute for the system to process your request.
formalPlease wait a short moment for the computer to complete the task.
Wait a minute, I think I left my phone in the car!
informalStop for a moment, I believe my phone is still in the vehicle.
The chemical reaction took exactly one minute to complete.
academicThe scientific process finished in precisely sixty seconds.
We need to finish this meeting in five minutes.
businessWe must conclude this business discussion within five units of time.
Synonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
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
The noun is pronounced /ˈmɪn.ɪt/ (time), while the adjective is /maɪˈnjuːt/ (very small).
A minute is an exact measurement of 60 seconds; a moment is an undefined short time.
Usage Notes
The noun 'minute' is mostly used for time, but in business contexts, 'minutes' (plural) refers to the written record of a meeting.
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
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 Grammar Rules
Related Phrases
Related Vocabulary
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Related Words
proceed
C1The 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
C1Relating 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
B2To 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
B2A 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
B2A 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
A1Used 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
A1A 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
A1A 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
A1This 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
A1The 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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