dwarf

American  

[dwawrf] / dwɔrf /

noun

dwarves, plural dwarfs plural

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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verb

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

2. (tr) to stunt the growth of

dwarf Scientific  

/ dwôrf /

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.

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Sensitive Note

Is it OK to say dwarf? See midget.

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of dwarf

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

Explanation

An unusually short, small person is sometimes called a dwarf. There are many different genetic medical conditions that can cause a person to be classified as a little person or a dwarf. Some people are offended by dwarf, preferring to be called "little people," "LP," or "people of short stature." The general condition that leads to delayed growth is called "dwarfism." The noun dwarf is also used for an unusually small animal or plant, or as a verb meaning "make something seem very small," as when a new apartment building dwarfs the surrounding houses. The Old English root dweorg referred to a tiny creature from German mythology.

Example Sentences

The planned walkout was expected to dwarf a 2024 strike that drew about 6,000 workers, as anger flares among staff over how the company distributes its massive profits from an artificial intelligence-fuelled boom.

From Barron's • May 20, 2026

Crude oil prices dwarf all other costs, accounting for 51% of a gallon’s price, the agency said.

From MarketWatch • May 11, 2026

There’s a sci-fi podcast called “Wolf 359,” about a crew of a space station circling a red dwarf star.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2026

However, similar signals have not been found in other places, such as dwarf galaxies.

From Science Daily • Apr. 10, 2026

The furious dwarf thrust the cage under Taran’s nose.

From "The Book of Three" by Lloyd Alexander

Related Words

• gnome
• goblin
• gremlin
• hobgoblin
• troll