All Definitions for Major
Below are all the dictionary definitions of major:
1Greater in dignity, rank, importance, significance, or interest.
2Prominent or significant in size, amount, or degree.
3:
4Greater in number, quantity, or extent.
5Involving great risk, serious, life-threatening.
6Of full legal age, having attained majority.
7Of or relating to a subject of academic study chosen as a field of specialization.
8The principal subject or course of a student working toward a degree at a college or university.
9A person of legal age.
10A rank of officer in the army and the US air force, between captain and lieutenant colonel.
11Notable or conspicuous in effect or scope.
12(of a key) Based on a major scale, tending to produce a bright or joyful effect.
13Equivalent to that between the tonic and another note of a major scale, and greater by a semitone than the corresponding minor interval. (of an interval)
14Having a major third above the root.
15Having intervals of a semitone between the third and fourth, and seventh and eighth degrees. (of a scale)
16:
17A large, commercially successful company, especially a record label that is bigger than an indie.
18A touchdown, or major score.
19A goal.
20A system of change-ringing using eight bells.
21A large leaf-cutter ant that acts as a soldier, defending the nest.
22Occurring as the predicate in the conclusion of a categorical syllogism. (of a term)
23Containing the major term in a categorical syllogism. (of a premise)
24Indicating the elder of two brothers (or the eldest of three), appended to a surname in public schools.
25An elder brother (especially at a public school).
26Bell changes rung on eight bells.
27An officer in charge of a section of band instruments, used with a modifier.
28A student at a college or university specializing on a given area of study.
29Used in a phrasal verb: major in.
30Title for an army officer with the rank of major.
31An unincorporated community in Owsley County, Kentucky, United States.
32A village in the Rural Municipality of Prairiedale, No. 321, Saskatchewan, Canada.
33A surname.
34: [(music) A musical key based upon a major scale.]
35Ellipsis of major key. [(music) A musical key based upon a major scale.]
36Ellipsis of major scale. [(music) One of the diatonic scales
37A group of notes or musical pitches in a particular pattern, used to make melodies. The pattern for a major scale is: tone - tone - semitone - tone - tone - tone - semitone.]
38Ellipsis of major interval. [(music) an interval that is either a major second, major third, major sixth, or a major seventh]
39: [(logic) In a syllogism, the term that is the predicate of the conclusion.]
40Ellipsis of major term. [(logic) In a syllogism, the term that is the predicate of the conclusion.]
41Ellipsis of major premise. [(logic) In a categorical syllogism, the premise whose terms are the syllogism's major term and middle term.]
42Ellipsis of major suit. [(bridge) Either of the suits of spades (♠) and hearts (♥), which rank higher than the minor suits (diamonds and clubs).]
43Alternative form of mayor and mair.
About antonyms for major
Finding the right antonym for major helps writers create contrast, clarify meaning, and add depth to their work. Defined as "Greater in dignity, rank, importance, significance, or interest.", major has 3 opposite words that can be used to express contrasting ideas.
Each antonym carries a slightly different shade of opposition. Minor is the most direct opposite in most situations. Underage works well when the context calls for a more nuanced contrast. Nonaged is often preferred when the context calls for a specific type of opposition.
When choosing an antonym, consider the connotation, formality level, and audience. Some alternatives work better in casual conversation while others shine in academic or professional writing. For example, using a more formal antonym in a business email can elevate your tone, while a casual antonym might feel more natural in creative writing or dialogue.
It is also worth noting that not all antonyms are perfectly interchangeable. The context of your sentence, the surrounding words, and the intended emotional impact all play a role in selecting the best opposite word. The list above provides the most common and useful antonyms for major, but always read your sentence aloud to ensure the chosen word flows naturally.