dwarf

American  

[dwawrf] / dwɔrf /

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.

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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

Adler returned to Broadway as an actor - first in the 2000 play Taller than a Dwarf - and then in 2015's Fish in the Dark - bringing his career full circle.

From BBC • Aug. 24, 2025

Most Supernovae come from the energetic ending of massive stars, but one very important variety comes from a small and unlikely source: the humble White Dwarf.

From Space Scoop • Jul. 2, 2025

Dwarf galaxy formation might happen at much smaller scales than anticipated, for example.

From Science Magazine • May 22, 2024

Bob and the Dwarf lack essential — and in the Dwarf’s case, tragic — awareness of the world around them, but each opera has a woman who is quite aware.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 28, 2024

He laid his hand on Gimli’s head, and the Dwarf looked up and laughed suddenly.

From "The Two Towers" by J. R. R. Tolkien

Related Words

• gnome
• goblin
• gremlin
• hobgoblin
• troll