miniature āļāļ·āļāļāļ°āđāļĢ miniature āļāļ·āļāļāļ°āđāļĢ A small portrait, picture, or decorative letter on an illuminated manuscript.The art of painting miniatures.Being on a small or greatly reduced scale. See Synonyms at small.A copy or model that represents or reproduces something in a greatly reduced size.Something small of its class.A small painting executed with great detail, often on a surface such as ivory or vellum.