stumpy

American  

[stuhm-pee] / ˈstʌm pi /

adjective

stumpier, stumpiest

1. of the nature of or resembling a stump.

2. short and thick; stubby; stocky.

3. abounding in stumps.

   a stumpy field.

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stumpy British  

/ ˈstʌmpɪ /

adjective

1. short and thickset like a stump; stubby

2. abounding in or full of stumps

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Other Word Forms

• stumpily adverb
• stumpiness noun

Etymology

Origin of stumpy

First recorded in 1590–1600; stump + -y ¹

Example Sentences

He reached into Hideg’s stash of percussion instruments and kept rhythm on cowbell and a set of stumpy sticks called claves.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 29, 2023

In Barcelona, somewhere along the tracks where my mom's train would be chugging along, I discovered a log creature with a face and four stumpy legs.

From Salon • Dec. 25, 2021

And I navigated my new reality with some self-deprecation, describing myself with words like one-legged, stumpy and wobbly to circle around the truth: I was disabled.

From New York Times • Jul. 13, 2020

"Elaphrosaurs had long necks, stumpy arms with small hands, and relatively lightly-built bodies," Dr Stephen Poropat said.

From BBC • May 18, 2020

“Okay, Todd,” he whimpers, yelping each time he wags his stumpy tail.

From "The Knife of Never Letting Go" by Patrick Ness