dwarf
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.
an animal or plant much smaller than the average of its kind or species.
(in folklore) a being in the form of a small, often misshapen man, usually having magic powers.
Astronomy. dwarf star.
of unusually small stature or size; diminutive.
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.
to make dwarf or dwarfish; prevent the due development of.
to become stunted or smaller.
Origin of dwarf
1usage note For dwarf
Other words for dwarf
Opposites for dwarf
Other words from dwarf
- dwarf·like, adjective
- dwarf·ness, noun
- un·dwarfed, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use dwarf in a sentence
Red dwarfs are very active stars, crackling with activity and hurling blistering pulses of energy into space.
Violent space weather could limit life on nearby exoplanets | Paola Rosa-Aquino | December 11, 2020 | Popular-ScienceIts case numbers were dwarfing those in every other state including New South Wales, home to the country’s other great metropolis, Sydney.
It’s a window into how much the virus itself, and the financial hardships it’s created, will likely dwarf other issues.
Sacramento Report: Shutdowns Loom as the Legislature Returns | Sara Libby | December 4, 2020 | Voice of San DiegoThe value of that would dwarf any gains that any of us could ever hope to see from the stock market.
The stock market is soaring to new heights. But most Americans aren’t along for the ride. | Allan Sloan | December 4, 2020 | Washington PostStill, astronomers can see brown dwarfs because the youngest ones do emit light.
Tallness, being an impulse toward extension, can never be Dwarfness, which is an impulse toward contraction.
Feminism and Sex-Extinction | Arabella KenealyDwarfness (or lesser stature) and Whiteness (or lesser colour) are Recessive, and are obviously Female traits.
Feminism and Sex-Extinction | Arabella KenealyIf we are to get the effect of dwarfness, we must be sure that the stock is itself really dwarf.
The Apple-Tree | L. H. BaileyThere are plants that are dwarf and can transmit only Dwarfness to offspring.
Feminism and Sex-Extinction | Arabella KenealyDwarfness and Weakness are indirect and negative factors therein.
Feminism and Sex-Extinction | Arabella Kenealy
British Dictionary definitions for dwarf
/ (dwɔːf) /
an abnormally undersized person, esp one with a large head and short arms and legs: Compare midget
an animal or plant much below the average height for the species
(as modifier): a dwarf tree
(in folklore) a small ugly manlike creature, often possessing magical powers
astronomy short for dwarf star
to become or cause to become comparatively small in size, importance, etc
(tr) to stunt the growth of
Origin of dwarf
1Derived forms of dwarf
- dwarfish, adjective
- dwarfishly, adverb
- dwarfishness, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for dwarf
[ dwôrf ]
An abnormally small person, often having limbs and features atypically proportioned or formed.
An atypically small animal or plant.
A dwarf star or dwarf galaxy.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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