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

The discovery, reported in Science, centers on a small, faint red dwarf star that is cooler and less massive than the Sun.

From Science Daily

Even so, it has been clear for many years that the likely cost of just one big-ticket item — healthcare — dwarfs what most people have salted away for retirement.

From MarketWatch

The most massive of these worlds begin to resemble brown dwarfs, substellar objects sometimes called "failed stars" because they do not fuse hydrogen.

From Science Daily

“I don’t mind any of them, but dwarf is the appropriate word since I have dwarfism. But the acceptable term if you want to be politically correct is little person.”

From Literature

He felt dwarfed by the enormous redwood and tried not to imagine what would have happened if it had landed on him.

From Literature

Related Words

• gnome
• goblin
• gremlin
• hobgoblin
• troll