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

Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary Steve Reed said the government was "putting power" into the hands of local people but the Conservatives said the money would be "dwarfed" by tax rises.

From BBC

“But those increases are completely dwarfed by the major shift that happened in the ocean between the end of February and the beginning of April — the upwelling event.”

From Los Angeles Times

That will take some doing, especially in countries such as Brazil, where American football barely registers a blip on the sports radar with interest dwarfed by the passion for soccer.

From Los Angeles Times

As you can see from this chart, Colbert’s audiences dwarf Gutfeld’s across every major electronic media platform.

From Salon

As they walk toward the shore, the group is dwarfed by the lake’s famous craggy formations called tufa nearly 20 feet above them.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• gnome 
• goblin 
• gremlin 
• hobgoblin 
• troll