Meaning & use
min or mins
Last updated
Meaning
abbreviationinformal
A short written form of 'minute' or 'minutes', used to talk about time.
Grammar: Used mostly in writing, often after a number: 5 min, 20 mins. In speech, say 'minute' or 'minutes'.
Patterns
- a number + min
- a number + mins
The pasta needs to cook for 8 mins.
Set a timer for 1 min.
It's only a 10 min walk to the station.
Common combinations
- a 10 min walk
- The hotel is only a 10 min walk from the beach.
- cook for 8 mins
- Boil the eggs and cook for 8 mins.
- wait a few mins
- Can you wait a few mins? I'm almost ready.
- min or mins
- Write 'min' for one and 'mins' for more, as in '1 min' and '5 mins'.
Synonyms and how they differ
Commonly confused: min or mins or mint? min or mins or minimum?
min or mins vs mint
'Mint' is a plant or a place where money is made; it sounds similar but is a different word.
min or mins vs minimum
'Minimum' means the smallest amount allowed; it is not a short form of 'minute'.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence.
Choose one answer.
'Mins' is the plural short form used with numbers greater than one. 'Min' is singular, 'minute' is singular, and 'minimum' means the smallest amount, so none of those fit here.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “min or mins”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.