runty

[ ruhn-tee ]

adjective

, runt·i·er, runt·i·est.

1. stunted; dwarfish:

   The runty puppy seems the most playful of the litter.

Other Words From

• runti·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of runty¹

First recorded in 1800–10; runt + -y ¹

Example Sentences

Such runty particles wouldn’t produce detectable nuclear recoils.

From Science Magazine

Is it as heartwarming as a runty, wilted Christmas tree revived by love?

From Los Angeles Times

They are sarcastic, my lot, calling a runty little chap like me Big Fellow, but there you are.

From Literature

“But this is different. A little girl is one thing, a little runty pig is another.”

From Literature

Unlike all the other trees of its kind in the area, it was never cut down, because it was runty and twisted and situated on a rocky slope; it appeared unprofitable to loggers.

From The New Yorker

Related Words

• cramped
• limited
• meager
• microscopic
• miniature
• minuscule
• modest
• narrow
• paltry
• poor
• short
• slight
• small-scale
• young