rustier; rustiest
Synonyms of rustynext
1
: affected by or as if by rust
especially : stiff with or as if with rust
2
: not as good or quick as usual or as in the past because of lack of practice or use
3
a
: of the color rust
b
: dulled in color or appearance by age and use
rusty old boots
4
: outmoded
rusty jokes
5
rustily adverb
rustiness noun

rusty

2 of 2

adjective (2)

rus·​ty ˈrə-stē How to pronounce rusty (audio)
rustier; rustiest
chiefly dialectal

Examples of rusty in a Sentence

Adjective (1) rusty laws still on the books because no one bothered to repeal them in a rusty voice the old man ordered us off his land
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
The atmosphere is perfect, with rusty metal, hanging chains, and dripping water providing a backdrop for a bunch of tense chase scenes and gory chest explosions. K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 3 Apr. 2026 William Clark, who was around the same age, was also unusually tall, though his hair was a rusty red, and sometimes the boys played together. Craig Fehrman, The Conversation, 1 Apr. 2026 Dial up the cottagecore vibes with this throw pillow that has a warm, rusty red checkerboard design. Blake Bakkila, Architectural Digest, 26 Mar. 2026 All the better to relax and enjoy a short stroll along the aquamarine Virgin River, which cuts through the rusty desert sandstone like a vein. Madison Chapman, Outside, 25 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rusty

Word History

Etymology

Adjective (2)

alteration of restive

First Known Use

Adjective (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective (2)

1694, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rusty was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rusty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rusty. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

rusty

adjective
ˈrəs-tē
rustier; rustiest
1
: affected by or as if by rust
2
: less skilled and slow through lack of practice or old age
3
: of the color rust
rustily
-tə-lē
adverb
rustiness
-tē-nəs
noun

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