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# The Good Oil Word of the Day
- URL: https://goodoil.news/the-good-oil-word-of-the-day-640/
- Published: 2026-05-18T18:15:27.000Z
- Updated: 2026-05-18T18:15:26.000Z
- Author: David Theobald
- Tags: General, Word of the Day

The word for today is…

diminutive (noun, adjective) -

*noun*  
1 *grammar* : a word, affix, or name usually indicating small size : a diminutive word, affix, or name  
2: one that is notably small : a diminutive individual

*adjective*  
1 *grammar* : indicating small size and sometimes the state or quality of being familiarly known, lovable, pitiable, or contemptible —used of affixes (such as -ette, -kin, -ling) and of words formed with them (such as kitchenette, manikin, duckling), of clipped forms (such as Jim), and of altered forms (such as Peggy)  
2: exceptionally or notably small : tiny

Source : [Merriam-Webster](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diminutive?ref=goodoil.news)

Etymology : Just as diminish means "to grow smaller", diminutive means "very small". When writing about language, diminutive as both an adjective and a noun refers to particular endings and the words made with them to indicate smallness. In English, such endings include -et and -ette (piglet, dinette, cigarette, diskette) as well as -ie and -y (doggy, bootie, Bobby, Debbie). However, diminutives are more common in many other languages. Outside of language, diminutive is used for many things, including people ("She noticed a diminutive figure standing shyly by the door"), but often not very seriously ("We were served some rather diminutive rolls").

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