- 1[countable] (abbreviation min.) each of the 60 parts of an hour, that are equal to 60 seconds It's four minutes to six. I'll be back in a few minutes. Boil the rice for 20 minutes. a ten-minute bus ride I enjoyed every minute of the party. Just minutes into the second half of the game Robinson scored his second goal. very short time
- 2[singular] (informal) a very short time It only takes a minute to make a salad. Hang on a minute—I'll just get my coat. I just have to finish this—I won't be a minute. Could I see you for a minute? I'll be with you in a minute, Jo. Typical Seattle weather—one minute it's raining and the next minute the sun is shining.
- 3[singular] an exact moment in time At that very minute, Tom walked in. angles
- 4[countable] each of the 60 equal parts of a degree, used in measuring angles 37 degrees 30 minutes (37° 30′) record of meeting
- 5the minutes [plural] a summary or record of what is said or decided at a formal meeting We read through the minutes of the last meeting. Who is going to take the minutes (= write them)? short note
- 6[countable] a short note on a subject, especially one that recommends a course of action Idioms
- 1having the latest information The traffic reports are up to the minute. see up-to-the-minute
- 2fashionable and modern Her styles are always up to the minute.
- 1to wait for a short time Can you wait a second while I make a call?
- 2used when you have just noticed or remembered something, or had a sudden idea Wait a minute — this isn't the right key.
part of hour
very soon Hurry up! He'll be back any minute now.
used to ask someone to wait for a short time “Is Mr. Burns available?” “Just a second, please, I'll check.”
the latest possible time before an important event They changed their plans at the last minute. Don't leave your decision to the last moment.
as soon as… I want to see him the minute he arrives. The minute she walked through the door I thought she looked different.
certainly not; not at all I don't think for a minute that she'll accept but you can ask her.
used to say that someone is very stupid
immediately; now Come down this minute! I don't know what I'm going to do yet—I've just this minute found out.
exactly The train arrived at 9:05 to the minute.
Check pronunciation: minute