stunt

1
[ stuhnt ]
See synonyms for: stuntstuntedstuntingstunts on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object)

  1. 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

  1. a stop or hindrance in growth or development.

  2. arrested development.

  1. a plant or animal hindered from attaining its proper growth.

  2. Plant Pathology. a disease of plants, characterized by a dwarfing or stunting of the plant.

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, adverb
  • stunty, adjective

Other definitions for stunt (2 of 2)

stunt2
[ stuhnt ]
noun

  1. a performance displaying a person's skill or dexterity, as in athletics; feat: an acrobatic stunt.

  2. any remarkable feat performed chiefly to attract attention: The kidnapping was said to be a publicity stunt.

verb (used without object)

  1. to do a stunt or stunts.

  2. Television Slang. to add specials, miniseries, etc., to a schedule of programs, especially so as to increase ratings.

verb (used with object)

  1. 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

How to use stunt in a sentence

  • Why, I can see you riding, parading, and having him doing stunts such as are rarely seen in a circus.

    David Lannarck, Midget | George S. Harney

  • A gentlemanly fighting machine was doing "stunts" over by Serray and there was no sign of an enemy.

    Tam O' The Scoots | Edgar Wallace

  • For several minutes she did acrobatic stunts at the end of the swaying ladder.

    The Flying Reporter | Lewis E. (Lewis Edwin) Theiss

  • In the middle of the street a strong man in pink tights was doing stunts with dumb-bells and the members of his family.

    Paris Vistas | Helen Davenport Gibbons

  • Why do you let Hilda write those articles for you about food economy stunts in the household?

    The Title | Arnold Bennett

British Dictionary definitions for stunt (1 of 2)

stunt1

/ (stʌnt) /

verb

  1. (tr) to prevent or impede the growth or development of (a plant, animal, etc)

noun

  1. the act or an instance of stunting

  2. a person, animal, or plant that has been stunted

Origin of stunt

1
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

Derived forms of stunt

  • stunted, adjective
  • stuntedness, noun

British Dictionary definitions for stunt (2 of 2)

stunt2

/ (stʌnt) /

noun

  1. an acrobatic, dangerous, or spectacular action

  2. an acrobatic or dangerous piece of action in a film or television programme

  1. anything spectacular or unusual done to gain publicity

verb

  1. (intr) to perform a stunt or stunts

Origin of stunt

2
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

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