runt

1 of 2

noun

ˈrənt How to pronounce runt (audio)
Synonyms of runtnext
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 How to pronounce runt (audio)
noun
runtish
ˈrən-tish How to pronounce runt (audio)
adjective
runty
ˈrən-tē How to pronounce runt (audio)
adjective

runty

2 of 2

adjective

-tē How to pronounce runty (audio)
-ti
-er/-est
1
: like a runt : undersized
2
dialectal : mean, surly

Synonyms of runt

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Noun

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of runt in a Sentence

Noun the runt of the litter one kitten was definitely the runt, weighing only six ounces at birth
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.
Noun
Seen as the runt of his clan, Dek has something to prove. — Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 4 Nov. 2025 There’s usually a runt in every litter. — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 13 Dec. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for runt

Word History

Etymology

Noun

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun

1602, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of runt was in 1602

Browse Nearby Words

run (someone) ragged
runt
runted
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Runt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/runt. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

runt

noun
ˈrənt How to pronounce runt (audio)
: an unusually small person or animal
runty
-ē How to pronounce runt (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on runt

Nglish: Translation of runt for Spanish Speakers

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