dwarf

[dwawrf]

noun

plural

dwarves, dwarfs 

1. a person of abnormally small physical stature resulting from a medical or genetic condition, especially a person with achondroplasia or some other disease that produces disproportion or deformation of features and limbs.

2. an animal or plant much smaller than the average of its kind or species.

   Synonyms: runt

3. (in folklore) a being in the form of a small, often misshapen man, usually having magic powers.

4. Astronomy.,  dwarf star.

adjective

1. of unusually small stature or size; diminutive.

   Synonyms: tiny, small, miniature
   Antonyms: gigantic, giant

verb (used with object)

1. to cause to appear or seem small in size, extent, character, etc., as by being much larger or better.

   He dwarfed all his rivals in athletic ability.

2. to make dwarf or dwarfish; prevent the due development of.

verb (used without object)

1. to become stunted or smaller.

dwarf

/ dwɔːf /

noun

1. an abnormally undersized person, esp one with a large head and short arms and legs Compare midget

2. 1. an animal or plant much below the average height for the species

   2. ( as modifier )

      a dwarf tree

3. (in folklore) a small ugly manlike creature, often possessing magical powers

4. astronomy short for dwarf star

verb

1. to become or cause to become comparatively small in size, importance, etc

2. (tr) to stunt the growth of

dwarf

1. An abnormally small person, often having limbs and features atypically proportioned or formed.

2. An atypically small animal or plant.

3. A dwarf star or dwarf galaxy.

Sensitive Note

Is it OK to say dwarf? See midget.

Other Word Forms

• dwarflike adjective
• dwarfness noun
• undwarfed adjective
• dwarfishly adverb
• dwarfishness noun
• dwarfish adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dwarf¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English dwerf, Old English dweorh; replacing Middle English dwerg, Old English dweorg; cognate with Old High German twerg, Old Norse dvergr

Word History and Origins

Origin of dwarf¹

Old English dweorg; related to Old Norse dvergr, Old High German twerc

Example Sentences

I was distracted, for instance, when Wilder’s Wonka made his grand limping entrance, as the sheepish building behind him was now dwarfed by sparkly, shiny warehouses.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

All of this is dwarfed by the outsized war on poor people that is steadily killing hundreds of thousands, potentially sending millions to an early grave.

Read more on Salon

But NATO’s collective gross domestic product still dwarfs Russia’s.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The strength of America’s tech companies, reflected in market capitalizations that dwarf their overseas peers, gives the U.S. formidable advantages.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The star producing the eruption is a red dwarf, which is a much cooler, dimmer, and smaller type of star than the Sun.

Read more on Science Daily

Related Words

• gnome 
• goblin 
• gremlin 
• hobgoblin 
• troll