minority
gb/maɪnˈɔɹəti/ us/maɪnˈɔɹəti/
B1
English
~ 2100
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
Smaller group within a population
A smaller group of people in a country or area, often different in race, religion, or culture from the main group.
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] is a minority in [place/group]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'minority' with 'minor', but 'minor' means 'not adult' or 'less important'.
Synonyms
subgroup (More general and not necessarily implying social or political context.)
Antonyms
majority (Refers to the larger part of a population or group, opposite in size to a minority.)
Collocations
ethnic minority
|religious minority
|minority group
|minority community
|minority rights
Themes
society
|politics
|culture
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The law protects the rights of ethnic minorities.
- Religious minorities often face discrimination in some countries.
- She belongs to a linguistic minority in her region.
- Minorities make up about 20% of the city's population.
- The committee includes representatives from various minority groups.
Learner examples
- The school has many students from ethnic minorities.
- He is part of a small minority in his town.
- Minorities can have different traditions.
- The government helps minority communities.
- Minority rights are important.
Noun
C1
state
2
Being under legal adulthood age
The time when someone is not yet an adult by law.
Usage pattern:
in [someone's] minority
Common mistake:
Learners may think 'minority' here means 'small group', but it refers to age status.
Synonyms
childhood (Refers to early life in general, not specifically a legal status.)
Antonyms
adulthood (The stage of being legally recognized as an adult.)
Collocations
reach minority
|during minority
Themes
law
|life stages
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He inherited the estate upon reaching his majority, ending his minority.
- During her minority, her parents managed her finances.
- The law protects individuals during their minority from certain responsibilities.
Learner examples
- He cannot vote because he is still in his minority.
- In her minority, her parents take care of her money.
- You cannot marry without permission during your minority.
Grammar
Dictionary form
minority
IPA
GB/maɪnˈɔɹəti/
US/maɪnˈɔɹəti/
Syllables & stress
minor - ity (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ity)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: minority
- Plural: minorities, minority
Word family
Expressions
minority rights
1/maɪnˈɔɹəti ɹˈaɪts/
fixed phrase
Rights protecting smaller groups
Rules and freedoms that protect smaller groups of people in a country.
Examples
- The organization works to promote minority rights.
- Minority rights are often discussed in human rights conferences.
religious minority
1/ɹɪlˈɪd͡ʒəs maɪnˈɔɹəti/
fixed phrase
Smaller religious group in society
A small group of people who follow a religion that is different from most people around them.
Examples
- Religious minorities are guaranteed freedom of worship under the constitution.
- He studies the history of religious minorities in the region.
visible minority
1/vˈɪzɪbəl maɪnˈɔɹəti/
fixed phrase
Smaller group visibly different from majority
A small group of people who look different from most people in the country because of their race or ethnicity.
Examples
- In Canada, visible minorities make up a significant portion of the population.
- She identifies as part of a visible minority.
ethnic minority
1/ˈɛθnɪk maɪnˈɔɹəti/
fixed phrase
Smaller cultural group in population
A small group in a country with a different culture from most people there.
Examples
- The country has policies to protect its ethnic minorities.
- Ethnic minorities are represented in the new parliament.
- She belongs to an ethnic minority that speaks a unique language.
- Policies aim to protect ethnic minority rights.