dwarf

Pluraldwarfs, dwarves

Formsdwarfer, dwarfest

Formsdwarfs, dwarfing, dwarfed

1. 1
   folklore beingnouncountable

   A short, magic being in old stories, often with a long beard, who is good at making things from metal.

   In the story, a dwarf makes a magic sword for the young king.

   The dwarves lived in caves deep under the mountain.

   UsageThe plural is dwarves or dwarfs. In fantasy stories, dwarves is more common.

   Note
2. 2
   tiny (plants)adjective

   Much smaller than usual, especially for plants.

   These tomato plants are dwarf, so they fit on a windowsill.

   The dwarf beans in our garden only grow knee-high.

   UsageUsually before a noun: a dwarf tree. Gardeners also say very dwarf.

   Similarminiature, stunted, compact

   Oppositegiant

3. 3
   verbtransitive

   To be so much bigger or better than something that it looks small or unimportant next to it.

   The new mall dwarfs the little shops around it.

   Giant redwoods dwarf the hikers walking among them.

   UsageOften dwarfed by something: the boat was dwarfed by the ship.

   Similarovershadow, eclipse

   Note
4. 4
   short personnounoffensivecountable

   A person who is much shorter than most adults, usually because of a condition they were born with.

   My cousin is a dwarf, and she plays on a basketball team for short athletes.

   The support group welcomes dwarfs and their families.

   UsageMany people prefer little person. Use the word the person chooses.

   Oppositegiant

5. 5
   starnouncountable

   Short for dwarf star, a kind of small star.

   Astronomers spotted a faint dwarf at the edge of the cluster.

   When the sun runs out of fuel, it will shrink into a white dwarf.

   UsageUsually with a color: red dwarf, white dwarf. The plural is dwarfs.

   Note
6. 6
   nouncountable

   An animal, plant, or thing that is much smaller than others of its kind.

   This bush is a dwarf, so it will never grow taller than your knee.

   The tiny horse was a dwarf, far smaller than others of its breed.

   Similarrunt

   Oppositegiant

   Note
7. 7
   verbtransitive

   To keep a plant or animal small, or to breed a smaller kind of it.

   Poor soil dwarfed the trees on the hill.

   Too little food can dwarf a young animal.

   Similarstunt, miniaturize

   Note

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