adj · noun · 6 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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Received-Pronunciation:/ˈmɪn.ɪ.məl.ɪst/
General-American:/ˈmɪn.ə.məl.ɪst/
US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
CMU ARPABET:M IH1 N AH0 M AH0 L IH0 S T
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
adj
Meaning 1
Believing in or seeking a minimal state; seeking to minimize or reduce to a minimum.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
I am sure such a minimalist style of furniture would never fit well with my packrat nature.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
noun
Meaning 2
One who believes in or seeks a minimal state; one who seeks to minimize or reduce to a minimum.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
He's a minimalist: when it comes to formal processes, the fewer the better.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
adjective
Meaning 3
of or relating to artistic minimalism
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
adjective satellite
Meaning 4
advocating minimal reforms (as in government or politics)
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
noun
Meaning 5
a practitioner or advocate of artistic minimalism
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: artist, creative person
6
noun
Meaning 6
a conservative who advocates only minor reforms in government or politics
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: conservative, conservativist
History
Etymology
Etymology tree English minimum English -al English minimal Proto-Indo-European *-id- Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *-idyéti Proto-Hellenic *-íďďō Ancient Greek -ῐ́ζω (-ĭ́zō) Proto-Hellenic *-tās Ancient Greek -τής (-tḗs) Ancient Greek -ῐστής (-ĭstḗs)bor. Latin -istader. Old French -istebor. Middle English -ist English -ist English minimalist From minimal + -ist.
Across languages
Translations
34 source translations are retained for this English entry.
Catalan:
minimalista
— believing in or seeking a minimal state
Czech:
minimalistický
— believing in or seeking a minimal state
Dutch:
minimalistisch
— believing in or seeking a minimal state
Esperanto:
minimumisma
— believing in or seeking a minimal state
French:
minimaliste
— believing in or seeking a minimal state
Galician:
minimalista
— believing in or seeking a minimal state
Georgian:
მინიმალისტური
(minimalisṭuri)
— believing in or seeking a minimal state
German:
minimalistisch
— believing in or seeking a minimal state
Italian:
minimalista
— believing in or seeking a minimal state
Polish:
minimalistyczny
— believing in or seeking a minimal state
Portuguese:
minimalista
— believing in or seeking a minimal state
Russian:
минималисти́ческий
(minimalistíčeskij)
— believing in or seeking a minimal state
Russian:
минималисти́чный
(minimalistíčnyj)
— believing in or seeking a minimal state
Serbo-Croatian:
minimalistički
— believing in or seeking a minimal state
Spanish:
minimalista
— believing in or seeking a minimal state
Turkish:
minimalistik
— believing in or seeking a minimal state
Ukrainian:
мінімалісти́чний
(minimalistýčnyj)
— believing in or seeking a minimal state
Ukrainian:
мінімалі́стський
(minimalístsʹkyj)
— believing in or seeking a minimal state
Catalan:
minimalista
— one who believes in or seeks a minimal state
Czech:
minimalista
— one who believes in or seeks a minimal state
Esperanto:
minimumisto
— one who believes in or seeks a minimal state
French:
minimaliste
— one who believes in or seeks a minimal state
Galician:
minimalista
— one who believes in or seeks a minimal state
Georgian:
მინიმალისტი
(minimalisṭi)
— one who believes in or seeks a minimal state
German:
Minimalist
— one who believes in or seeks a minimal state
Irish:
íostach
— one who believes in or seeks a minimal state
Italian:
minimalista
— one who believes in or seeks a minimal state
Japanese:
ミニマリスト
(minimarisuto)
— one who believes in or seeks a minimal state
Polish:
minimalista
— one who believes in or seeks a minimal state
Portuguese:
minimalista
— one who believes in or seeks a minimal state
Spanish:
minimalista
— one who believes in or seeks a minimal state
Swedish:
minimalist
— one who believes in or seeks a minimal state
Ukrainian:
мінімалі́ст
(minimalíst)
— one who believes in or seeks a minimal state
Ukrainian:
мінімалі́стка
(minimalístka)
— one who believes in or seeks a minimal state
