What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
figurine
Example
She collects porcelain figurines of animals. [figurines: plural noun]
Example
The figurine of the superhero was intricately detailed. [figurine: singular noun]
miniature
Example
He built a miniature model of a medieval castle. [miniature: adjective]
Example
The artist painted a miniature portrait of the queen. [miniature: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Figurine is more commonly used than miniature in everyday language. Figurine is a versatile term that covers a wide range of contexts, while miniature is more specific and often associated with hobbies or crafts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between figurine and miniature?
Both figurine and miniature are neutral terms that can be used in various formality levels, depending on the context and audience. However, figurine may be slightly more formal due to its association with art and sculpture.
