stunt

1
[ stuhnt ]
See synonyms for stunt on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object)
  1. to stop, slow down, or hinder the growth or development of; dwarf: A harsh climate stunted the trees.Brutal treatment in childhood stunted his personality.

noun
  1. a stop or hindrance in growth or development.

  2. arrested development.

  1. a plant or animal hindered from attaining its proper growth.

  2. Plant Pathology. a disease of plants, characterized by a dwarfing or stunting of the plant.

Origin of stunt

1
First recorded in 1575–85; verb use of dialect stunt “dwarfed, stubborn”; cognate with Middle High German stunz, Old Norse stuttr “short”; akin to stint1

Other words from stunt

  • stunt·ing·ly, adverb
  • stunty, adjective

Words Nearby stunt

Other definitions for stunt (2 of 2)

stunt2
[ stuhnt ]

noun
  1. a performance displaying a person's skill or dexterity, as in athletics; feat: an acrobatic stunt.

  2. any remarkable feat performed chiefly to attract attention: The kidnapping was said to be a publicity stunt.

verb (used without object)
  1. to do a stunt or stunts.

  2. Television Slang. to add specials, miniseries, etc., to a schedule of programs, especially so as to increase ratings.

verb (used with object)
  1. to use in doing stunts: to stunt an airplane.

Origin of stunt

2
An Americanism dating back to 1890–95; origin uncertain; perhaps a variant of stump (in the sense “challenge; dare”)

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use stunt in a sentence

  • Dedmon, here, was out of a job—thanks to you and your meddling—and the steering stunt offered good pay.

    The Wreckers | Francis Lynde
  • He did the 'Great White Way' stunt—the restaurants, the roof gardens, a pretty actress at times, jewels and champagne.

    The Winning Clue | James Hay, Jr.
  • Grayson's doing a stunt to-day that would have driven me mad with envy if I could have stopped to look on.

    Red Pepper Burns | Grace S. Richmond
  • The stunt did more than earn the boys a large share of fame.

    Radio Boys Loyalty | Wayne Whipple
  • "You try any stunt like that and I'll shoot you," Frank Nelsen promised.

    The Planet Strappers | Raymond Zinke Gallun

British Dictionary definitions for stunt (1 of 2)

stunt1

/ (stʌnt) /


verb
  1. (tr) to prevent or impede the growth or development of (a plant, animal, etc)

noun
  1. the act or an instance of stunting

  2. a person, animal, or plant that has been stunted

Origin of stunt

1
C17 (as vb: to check the growth of): perhaps from C15 stont of short duration, from Old English stunt simple, foolish; sense probably influenced by Old Norse stuttr short in stature, dwarfed

Derived forms of stunt

  • stunted, adjective
  • stuntedness, noun

British Dictionary definitions for stunt (2 of 2)

stunt2

/ (stʌnt) /


noun
  1. an acrobatic, dangerous, or spectacular action

  2. an acrobatic or dangerous piece of action in a film or television programme

  1. anything spectacular or unusual done to gain publicity

verb
  1. (intr) to perform a stunt or stunts

Origin of stunt

2
C19: US student slang, of unknown origin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012