minority

USAGE SUMMARY

'minority' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to a group within a larger group that is fewer in number or less in power. For example: "The minority ethnic group was underrepresented in the country's government."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It is a huge waste of the next generation's skills, potential and talent and it comes at a huge cost to young black and minority-ethnic people, their families, taxpayers and the economy".

The Guardian

Kazakhstan, a country with a large Russian minority, has strong relations with Russia, China and the United States.

The Guardian

The study suggests that in 168 marginal seats, the ethnic minority vote is bigger than the majority of the sitting MP.

The Guardian

Speaking after the ballot on Wednesday night, a composed Gillard said she was proud of her achievements in what "has not been an easy environment to work in" because of the minority parliament, the internal Labor divisions and the Coalition's fierce anti-carbon tax campaign.

The Guardian

Sandi Toksvig, who launched WEP last month, said her decision to leave the News Quiz for politics was because: "It's very interesting that most of the mainstream parties seem to treat women's issues as if we were a minority group rather than in fact what we are, which is the majority of the country … you get childcare talked about as if it was only a woman's issue".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Sharaa is the most senior Sunni Muslim figure in Assad's minority Alawite-led government and he has a reputation for living modestly and not being corrupt.

The Guardian

Foreign diplomats were converging on Burma on Thursday, seeking to discuss the Asian migrant crisis which is widely believed to have its roots in the mass fleeing of the country's persecuted Rohingya minority.

The Guardian

Some of it reflects perceptions of minority progress in both countries.

The Guardian

Nationally, just 16% of 18- to 24-year-olds say they are certain to vote in an election and there has been a sharp decline over the past year in registration among black and ethnic minority voters from 77% to 58%, the Hansard Society's audit reveals.

The Guardian

In the key seats that gave the Conservatives power – places such as Telford, Warwickshire North and Bolton West – the reality is that there simply is no significant ethnic minority vote that can be mobilised.

The Guardian - Opinion

Policymakers and politicians usually embrace this "political blackness" when addressing ethnic minority communities, but it makes as little sense when it comes to predicting voting as it does in other areas of life.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "minority" with sensitivity, recognizing the potential for the term to perpetuate stereotypes or marginalization. Consider alternative terms like "underrepresented group" where appropriate.

Common error

Don't assume all "minorities" share the same experiences or perspectives. Recognize the diversity within minority groups and avoid making sweeping statements.

Linguistic Context

The term "minority" functions primarily as a noun, denoting a subgroup that constitutes less than half of a larger population. As exemplified by Ludwig, its usage often involves describing demographics or representation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Formal & Business

9%

Science

9%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "minority" is a grammatically correct noun commonly used to describe a group constituting less than half of a larger population. As Ludwig AI confirms, the word appears frequently in "News & Media" and "Formal & Business" contexts. While widely accepted, it's essential to use "minority" with sensitivity, recognizing its potential to perpetuate stereotypes. Related phrases like "underrepresented group" and "marginalized group" offer alternative ways to express similar concepts while focusing on specific aspects like representation or social exclusion. As such, the term "minority" is best used with careful consideration of context and potential impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

numerical minority

Specifically denotes a group that is smaller in number compared to the majority.

marginalized group

Highlights the group's exclusion from mainstream society or power structures.

underrepresented group

Emphasizes the lack of proportional representation within a system or structure.

non-dominant group

Focuses on the lack of dominance in a particular sphere or context.

smaller group

Focuses on the size aspect rather than the status or power dynamics.

underprivileged group

Emphasizes lack of resources and power.

smaller segment

Highlights that is a small part of a larger whole.

subordinate group

Highlights the hierarchical power structure where the group has less authority.

lesser part

Focuses on the quantitative aspect and reduced importance.

vulnerable population

Emphasizes the group's susceptibility to harm or marginalization.

FAQs

How is "minority" used in a sentence?

The term "minority" is used to describe a group that is smaller in number compared to the larger population, such as "The ethnic minority group sought greater representation in government".

What are some alternatives to the word "minority"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "underrepresented group", "marginalized group", or "smaller group".

What is the difference between "minority" and "majority"?

"Minority" refers to a smaller group within a larger population, while "majority" refers to the larger, more dominant group. They are relative terms that describe proportions within a population.

Is it better to say "ethnic minority" or "racial minority"?

Both terms are used, but "ethnic minority" is often preferred as it encompasses cultural and national origins, whereas "racial minority" focuses specifically on racial classifications. The best choice depends on the specific context.