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
Signs of an infestation include fecal stains (black or rusty-looking spots) on fabrics, shed skins, or the adult bugs, which are oval, flat, reddish-brown and about 3/16-inch long or nymphs, which are yellowish and transparent, says Oi. Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 25 Dec. 2025 The cabin had a tiny stove with a rusty metal chimney that rose up—almost—to a hole that had been cut for it in the roof. Patrick F. McManus, Outdoor Life, 25 Dec. 2025 Songs of the Irish Republican Army, a rusty alarm clock placed inside a bag and nailed to a wall, and feats of strength competitions were all up the boozy patriarch’s sleeve — all of this was likely too much for the Seinfeld audience. Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 23 Dec. 2025 The rusty observation tower at the edge of this wastewater-fed marsh offers an osprey-eye view of two possible futures for the parched and overworked Colorado River. Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 15 Dec. 2025 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 28 Dec. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on rusty

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!