Langimage
English

dwarf

|dwarf|

B2

🇺🇸

/dwɔrf/

🇬🇧

/dwɔːf/

small stature

Etymology
Etymology Information

'dwarf' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'dweorh,' where 'dweorh' meant 'a small mythical being.'

Historical Evolution

'dweorh' changed from Old English to the modern English word 'dwarf.'

Meaning Changes

Initially, it meant 'a small mythical being,' but over time it evolved to include meanings related to size and stature.

Meanings by Part of Speech

Noun 1

a member of a mythical race of short, stocky human-like creatures, often skilled in mining and metalworking.

In folklore, dwarfs are often depicted as living underground.

Synonyms

Noun 2

an unusually small person, especially one whose bodily proportions are abnormal.

The medical condition of dwarfism affects growth and development.

Synonyms

Verb 1

to cause to seem small or insignificant by comparison.

The skyscraper dwarfs the surrounding buildings.

Synonyms

Adjective 1

of a size smaller than normal or usual.

The dwarf planet Pluto was reclassified in 2006.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:42