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

Example Sentences

Though the dwarf pansies are not yet available to purchase, Litchfield encouraged islanders to consider planting other native and naturalised species to contribute to their conservation.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

Now there’s nothing to be done about it, including the fact that he plans to put a humongous monstrosity in its place — a large-scale ballroom that will dwarf the People’s House.

From Salon • Mar. 29, 2026

It would dwarf the size of some of the world’s largest buyout funds and rival SoftBank’s $100 billion, tech-focused Vision Fund.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026

It was a rude awakening for three-time winners Inter, whose stature and budget dwarf that of the Norwegians and who are heavy favourites to win Serie A this season.

From Barron's • Feb. 24, 2026

They were nevertheless able to produce stone tools, and even managed occasionally to hunt down some of the island’s elephants—though, to be fair, the elephants were a dwarf species as well.

From "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind" by Yuval Noah Harari

Related Words

• gnome
• goblin
• gremlin
• hobgoblin
• troll