Dwarf
/dwɔrf/
nounverbB2
Definition
As a noun, "dwarf" means a person or creature that is much smaller than normal size. It can also refer to small types of stars in space or small plants. As a verb, "to dwarf" means to make something seem very small when compared to something else because the other thing is much bigger.
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⚡ See It in Action
Noun: A person or creature much smaller than normal size
- •The story had a friendly dwarf who lived in the forest.
- •Some animals are dwarfs compared to their larger relatives.
- •The dwarf star is much smaller than our sun.
Verb: To make something seem much smaller by comparison
- •The tall skyscraper dwarfs the nearby houses.
- •The small village was dwarfed by the huge city next to it.
🧲 Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "dwarf" like "small," but much smaller than usual or normal size.
- ✓Picture a tiny tree next to a very tall tree, where the small one looks tiny and less important.
- ✓It's the feeling when you see a giant building and your small house looks tiny next to it.
- ✓Sounds like "DWARF" → imagine a tiny person standing next to a giant, making the small one look even smaller.
- ✓In stories, dwarfs are small, strong characters like in fairy tales or fantasy books.
- ✓NOT like "small" (which can be any size smaller), "dwarf" means very small or much smaller than normal.
- ✓As a verb, NOT like "reduce" (to make smaller by cutting), "dwarf" means to look smaller because something else is much bigger.
- ✓In space, a "dwarf star" is a star that is smaller than usual stars.
- ✓In plants, a "dwarf plant" is a plant bred to be very small.
🔄 Try Other Words
- •Miniature: very small version of something (Use when emphasizing a tiny copy or model)
- •Tiny: very small in size (Use for general very small things without comparison)
- •Shrink: to become smaller (Use when something gets smaller by itself or by action, not by comparison)
- •Overshadow: to seem more important or bigger (Use when talking about importance or attention, not size)
🔍 Unboxing
- •Word parts: (no clear prefix or suffix) — the word itself is simple
- •Etymology: From Old English "dweorg," meaning a small person or mythical being
- •Historical development: Originally used for mythical small people in stories and legends; later used for small things or people
- •Modern usage: Used for small people, small types of stars and plants, and as a verb to describe making something look small by comparison
💭 Reflect & Connect
•How does the meaning of "dwarf" change when used as a noun compared to a verb?
•Can something be "dwarfed" in ways that are not about size? How would you explain that?
Fill in the blanks with the correct word:
1.The giant tree made the small bushes ___ even ___ by comparison.
2.In fairy tales, a dwarf is often ___ but very strong or wise.
3.The new skyscraper ___ all the old buildings in the city.
4.Unlike "small," "dwarf" usually means much ___ smaller or less important.
5.When a star is called a dwarf star, it means it is ___ than other stars.
6.The tiny car was ___ by the large trucks on the road.
7.The word "dwarf" can be used as a noun or a verb, but as a verb it always means to make something ___ by comparison.