Word
midget
US/ˈmɪdʒət/
UK/mˈɪdʒɪt/
Definition
adj. used to describe a version of something that is much smaller than usual.
adj. denoting a version of an object or animal that is significantly smaller than the standard size for its kind.
Examples
“The term midget is now considered a slur.”
“Advocacy groups have spent decades explaining why the word midget is harmful and should be removed from public discourse.”
Examples
simple
“The term midget is now considered a slur.”
contextual
“Advocacy groups have spent decades explaining why the word midget is harmful and should be removed from public discourse.”
Usage
Often used as an attributive noun or adjective to describe machinery, plants, or food products.
Teaching tip
Even when describing objects, this word can carry a negative or mocking tone; 'miniature' or 'compact' are safer, more professional alternatives.
Etymology
From midge (chiefly in the figurative sense of “small thing”, literally “small fly”) + -et (diminutive suffix), (from Old English myċġ (“mosquito”), from Proto-Germanic mugjō, from Proto-Indo-European mus-, mu-, mew-; cognate with Dutch mug (“mosquito”) and German Mücke (“midge, gnat”)).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/midget