minute

A unit of time equal to sixty seconds.

• The walk takes ten minutes.
• Set the timer for one minute.
• How many minutes are left?

Common phrases: one minute, ten minutes, per minute

A short period of time, without an exact length.

• Wait a minute, please.
• I will be back in a minute.
• Do you have a minute to talk?

Similar words: moment, little while

Common phrases: wait a minute, in a minute, spare minute

A written record of what people discussed or decided at a meeting.

• Please read the meeting minutes.
• She took minutes during the discussion.
• The committee approved the minutes of its last meeting.

How to use it: minutes of something (The secretary sent us the minutes of the meeting.)

Similar words: record, meeting record

Common phrases: meeting minutes, take minutes, approve the minutes

A particular moment when something happens.

• Call me the minute you arrive.
• I knew the minute I saw her face.
• At that minute, the lights went out.

How to use it: the minute (that) + clause (The minute I saw the smoke, I called for help.)

Similar words: moment, instant

Common phrases: the minute that, the minute someone, at that minute

To write down what happens or is decided at a meeting.

• Please minute this decision.
• She minuted the whole meeting.
• The agreement was carefully minuted by the secretary.

How to use it: minute something (The secretary minuted the decision.); minute that… (We minuted that all members supported the proposal.)

Similar words: record, document

Common phrases: minute a meeting, minute a decision, minute the discussion

Extremely small, sometimes too small to see easily.

• There is a minute crack in the glass.
• The two drawings have minute differences.
• A microscope revealed minute particles in the water.

Similar words: tiny, very small, microscopic

Opposites: huge

Common phrases: minute particles, minute differences, minute amount

Very careful and exact, paying attention to every small detail.

• She described the room in minute detail.
• The machine underwent a minute inspection.
• His minute analysis revealed several hidden problems.

Similar words: detailed, meticulous, thorough

Opposites: superficial

Common phrases: minute examination, minute detail, minute analysis