Dictionary.com

stunt

1
[ stuhnt ]
/ stʌnt /
Save This Word!
See synonyms for: stunt / stunted / stunting / stunts on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object)
to stop, slow down, or hinder the growth or development of; dwarf: A harsh climate stunted the trees.Brutal treatment in childhood stunted his personality.
noun
a stop or hindrance in growth or development.
arrested development.
a plant or animal hindered from attaining its proper growth.
Plant Pathology. a disease of plants, characterized by a dwarfing or stunting of the plant.
QUIZ
THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
Question 1 of 7
In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as

candystring
candyfloss
candypuff
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of stunt

1
First recorded in 1575–85; verb use of dialect stunt “dwarfed, stubborn”; cognate with Middle High German stunz, Old Norse stuttr “short”; akin to stint1

OTHER WORDS FROM stunt

stunt·ing·ly, adverbstunty, adjective

Words nearby stunt

stunk, stunned, stunner, stunning, stunsail, stunt, stunted, stunt man, stunt person, stunt woman, stupa

Other definitions for stunt (2 of 2)

stunt2
[ stuhnt ]
/ stʌnt /
noun
a performance displaying a person's skill or dexterity, as in athletics; feat: an acrobatic stunt.
any remarkable feat performed chiefly to attract attention: The kidnapping was said to be a publicity stunt.
verb (used without object)
to do a stunt or stunts.
Television Slang. to add specials, miniseries, etc., to a schedule of programs, especially so as to increase ratings.
verb (used with object)
to use in doing stunts: to stunt an airplane.

Origin of stunt

2
An Americanism dating back to 1890–95; origin uncertain; perhaps a variant of stump (in the sense “challenge; dare”)
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to stunt

antic, feat, sketch, skit, achievement, act, caper, exploit, feature, performance, tour de force

How to use stunt in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for stunt (1 of 2)

stunt1
/ (stʌnt) /
verb
(tr) to prevent or impede the growth or development of (a plant, animal, etc)
noun
the act or an instance of stunting
a person, animal, or plant that has been stunted

Derived forms of stunt

stunted, adjectivestuntedness, noun

Word Origin for stunt

C17 (as vb: to check the growth of): perhaps from C15 stont of short duration, from Old English stunt simple, foolish; sense probably influenced by Old Norse stuttr short in stature, dwarfed

British Dictionary definitions for stunt (2 of 2)

stunt2
/ (stʌnt) /
noun
an acrobatic, dangerous, or spectacular action
an acrobatic or dangerous piece of action in a film or television programme
anything spectacular or unusual done to gain publicity
verb
(intr) to perform a stunt or stunts

Word Origin for stunt

C19: US student slang, of unknown origin
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
FEEDBACK