noun · formal
minority
UK/maɪˈnɒr.ə.ti/US/maɪˈnɔːr.ə.ti/mi·NOR·i·ty
task1
the smaller number or part, especially a number that is less than half
Examples
“Only a small minority opposed the new law.”
“A vocal minority can sometimes influence public debate disproportionately.”
“The minority of households still rely on coal for heating.”
Band 8 sentence
“Only a minority of respondents cited cost as the primary barrier to healthier eating.”
Collocations
- a small/sizable minority
- a vocal minority
Word family
minority nounminor adjective
Common mistakes
minority people→a minority of people
Only minority disagreed→Only a minority disagreed
Say it for a higher band
5few→6small number→7+minority
Synonyms
small number
few
Easily confused
majority
“The majority voted in favour while a small minority opposed.”
few
“Few students attended the extra class.”
Related words
Learn this word with the rest of its set, and get reminded at the right time.
In Comparing proportions
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