Meaning & use
min
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Meaning
abbreviation
A written short form of 'minute' or 'minutes', used to show time on clocks, in recipes, and in schedules.
Grammar: Used after a number: 10 min. In formal writing, spell out 'minutes'.
Patterns
- a number + min
- min + a number
The recipe says to bake the cookies for 12 min.
The bus leaves in 5 min, so we should hurry.
Set the timer for 30 min.
Common combinations
- min per mile
- Her average pace was 8 min per mile.
- min or less
- The whole exercise takes 10 min or less.
- min and max
- The form asks for the min and max temperature.
- min value
- The min value on the chart is zero.
Synonyms and how they differ
- minute
- Use 'minute' in formal writing or when speaking; 'min' is only for notes, labels, and timetables.
Word family
- minute noun
- A period of sixty seconds; the full form of 'min'.
Commonly confused: min or mins?
min vs mins
Some people write 'mins' as a plural, but standard style prefers 'min' for both singular and plural.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'min' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Min' is the standard abbreviation for 'minute' and does not take an -s in this style. 'Mins' is sometimes seen but is not preferred in formal writing. 'Minute' would need to be plural ('minutes'), and 'min's' is not a valid form.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “min”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.