What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Minority vs Minimum - What's the difference?

minority | minimum |

As nouns the difference between minority and minimum

is that minority is the state of being a minor; youth, the period of a person's life prior to reaching adulthood while minimum is the lowest limit.

As an adjective minimum is

to the lowest degree.

minority

English

Noun

(minorities)
  • The state of being a minor; youth, the period of a person's life prior to reaching adulthood.
  • * 2011 , (Norman Davies), Vanished Kingdoms , Penguin 2012, p. 117:
  • She also played a key role as dowager-regent during the minority of her son.
  • Any subgroup that does not form a numerical majority.
  • Most people agreed, but a sizable minority were upset by the decision.
  • Empowered by or representing a minority (usually a plurality) of votes cast, legislative seats, etc., rather than an outright majority thereof.
  • (US) A member of an ethnic minority.
  • The company claims it has hired several minorities since the complaint was lodged.

    Synonyms

    * (youth) childhood

    Antonyms

    * (subgroup) majority * (youth) adulthood

    Derived terms

    * majority-minority * minority government * minority group * minority leader * minority report * minority rule

    minimum

    English

    Noun

    (en-noun)
  • The lowest limit.
  • We prefer candidates with a minimum of 4 years experience in the field.
    We need a minimum of 3 fully-qualified staff members on duty at all time.
  • The smallest amount.
  • He always tries to get away with doing the minimum .
    Please keep noise to a minimum after 11 o'clock
  • (astronomy) A period of minimum brightness or energy intensity (of a star).
  • (analysis) A lower bound of a set which is also an element of that set.
  • (statistics) The smallest member of a batch or sample or the lower bound of a probability distribution.
  • Usage notes

    * (term) is more common plural for the technical senses.

    Antonyms

    * maximum

    Hypernyms

    * (statistics) measure of location

    Derived terms

    (terms derived from minimum) * bare minimum * global minimum * local minimum * Maunder minimum * minimum wage * moral minimum

    Adjective

    (-)
  • To the lowest degree.