Reading Theme:
Minor Meaning: Less Important, Underage, or Musical Scale? (3 meaning)
Meaning 1：less important (minor)
minor
/ˈmaɪnər/
adj.
Not very important, serious, or large.
less important
➕
/lɛs ɪmˈpɔːrtənt/
adj.
This meaning indicates something that is not of great significance, seriousness, or magnitude.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'minor' (smaller), comparative of 'minuere' (to lessen).
💡 Mnemonic
Think 'mini' + 'or' = something mini or smaller.
📖 Example
My phone has a minor scratch on the screen, but it doesn't affect how I use it at all.
A small scratch on my phone's screen is minor and does not affect its use.
🔗 Collocations
minor issue – a small problem that is not important
minor injury – a slight injury that does not require serious medical attention
minor change – a small adjustment that does not alter the overall structure
🔄 Synonyms
insignificant (adj.) – not important or meaningful
trivial (adj.) – of little value or importance
slight (adj.) – small in degree, not serious
🚫 Antonyms
major (adj.) – greater in importance, size, or seriousness
significant (adj.) – important and meaningful
important (adj.) – having great value or significance
🌱 Derivatives
📖 Cultural Story
Originates from Latin 'minor' meaning 'less'. Entered English via Old French. In music, 'minor' scales refer to smaller intervals compared to major, giving a darker sound.
Meaning 2：underage person (minor)
minor
/ˈmaɪnər/
adj.
A person who is below the legal age of adulthood.
underage person
➕
/ˈʌndərˌeɪdʒ ˈpɜːrsən/
adj.
This meaning refers to someone who has not yet reached the age of legal majority, typically 18 in most countries.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
She started learning the piano as a minor and is now a famous musician.
She was a minor when she began learning piano; now she has become a renowned musician.
🔗 Collocations
legal minor – a person under the age of majority according to the law
minor consent – permission given by a parent or guardian for a minor to do something
minor child – a child who is not yet legally an adult
🔄 Synonyms
juvenile (n.) – a young person not yet an adult
adolescent (n.) – a teenager in the process of growing up
underage (adj.) – below the legal age of adulthood
🚫 Antonyms
🌱 Derivatives
minority (n.) – the state or period of being a minor
Meaning 3：sad-sounding musical scale (minor)
minor
/ˈmaɪnər/
adj.
In music, describing a scale or chord that often sounds sad, thoughtful, or mysterious.
sad-sounding musical scale
➕
/sæd ˈsaʊndɪŋ ˈmjuːzɪkəl skeɪl/
adj.
In music theory, 'minor' describes a scale or chord with a minor third interval, which typically evokes a melancholic or somber mood.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
The song starts with a beautiful but sad minor chord on the guitar.
The guitar playing begins with a beautiful yet sorrowful minor chord.
🔗 Collocations
minor scale – a musical scale with a minor third, often sounding sad
minor chord – a chord built on the minor scale, with a lowered third
minor key – a musical key based on a minor scale
🔄 Synonyms
melancholy (adj.) – having a sad or thoughtful quality
somber (adj.) – dark and gloomy in mood
dark (adj.) – deep and serious in musical character
🚫 Antonyms
🌱 Derivatives
minor (n.) – a minor scale or key in music
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