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

Explanation

An unusually short, small person is sometimes called a dwarf. There are many different genetic medical conditions that can cause a person to be classified as a little person or a dwarf. Some people are offended by dwarf, preferring to be called "little people," "LP," or "people of short stature." The general condition that leads to delayed growth is called "dwarfism." The noun dwarf is also used for an unusually small animal or plant, or as a verb meaning "make something seem very small," as when a new apartment building dwarfs the surrounding houses. The Old English root dweorg referred to a tiny creature from German mythology.

Example Sentences

There’s a sci-fi podcast called “Wolf 359,” about a crew of a space station circling a red dwarf star.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2026

The journey alone - seven to nine months, through intense radiation, and with no possibility of rescue - presents challenges that dwarf anything involved in getting to the Moon.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

Under these conventional frameworks, the lack of gamma-ray emission from dwarf galaxies makes it harder to interpret the Milky Way's gamma-ray excess as evidence of dark matter.

From Science Daily • Apr. 10, 2026

Such losses would dwarf that of virtually any other public company in history.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

Taran heard Doli grunt as the dwarf loosed an arrow at the nearest warrior.

From "The Book of Three" by Lloyd Alexander

Related Words

• gnome
• goblin
• gremlin
• hobgoblin
• troll