runt

noun

ˈrənt 

1

chiefly Scotland : a hardened stalk or stem of a plant

2

: an animal unusually small of its kind

especially : the smallest of a litter of pigs

3

usually disparaging : a person of small stature

runtiness

ˈrən-tē-nəs 

noun

runtish

ˈrən-tish 

adjective

runty

ˈrən-tē 

adjective

Synonyms of runt

• dwarf
• diminutive
• toy

Examples of runt in a Sentence

the runt of the litter

one kitten was definitely the runt, weighing only six ounces at birth

Recent Examples on the Web

The octopus appears to be the runt of the Megaleledonidae family, whose members are normally much larger and live in the Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica. — CBS News, 26 May 2026

Seek Out Small Specimens Don’t reject the runts. — Erica Browne Grivas, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Apr. 2026

That runt is now the starting quarterback of the New England Patriots. — Tim Rohan, NBC news, 5 Feb. 2026

There’s usually a runt in every litter. — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 13 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

1602, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

runt

noun

ˈrənt 

: an unusually small person or animal

runty

-ē 

adjective