rusty

1
[ ruhs-tee ]
See synonyms for rusty on Thesaurus.com
adjective,rust·i·er, rust·i·est.
  1. covered with or affected by rust.

  2. consisting of or produced by rust.

  1. of or tending toward the color rust; rust-colored.

  2. faded or shabby; impaired by time or wear, as clothes or drapery.

  3. impaired through disuse or neglect: My Latin is rusty.

  4. having lost agility or alertness; out of practice: I am a bit rusty at tennis.

  5. (of a sound) grating or harsh.

Origin of rusty

1
First recorded before 900; Middle English rusti, Old English rūstig; see origin at rust, -y1

Other words from rusty

  • rust·i·ly, adverb
  • rust·i·ness, noun

Other definitions for rusty (2 of 3)

rusty2
[ ruhs-tee ]

adjective,rust·i·er, rust·i·est.
  1. restive; stubborn: a rusty horse.

  2. Chiefly Dialect. ill-tempered; cross.

Origin of rusty

2
First recorded in 1555–65; apparently special use of rusty1, but compare obsolete restyrestive

Other definitions for Rusty (3 of 3)

Rusty
[ ruhs-tee ]

noun
  1. a male or female given name.

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

How to use rusty in a sentence

  • Id say that Rustys trouble was an over-developed sense of humor.

    Quarter-Back Bates | Ralph Henry Barbour
  • His eyes swept the grinning or amused faces of Rustys companions.

    Quarter-Back Bates | Ralph Henry Barbour
  • There were the usual scenes, so like Rustys travesty that Dick had to smile.

    Quarter-Back Bates | Ralph Henry Barbour
  • Rustys innocent, uncomprehending expression remained and Dick began to think his suspicions wrong.

    Quarter-Back Bates | Ralph Henry Barbour
  • Fortunately, Rustys prophecy proved false and there were plenty of vacancies.

    Quarter-Back Bates | Ralph Henry Barbour

British Dictionary definitions for rusty

rusty

/ (ˈrʌstɪ) /


adjectiverustier or rustiest
  1. covered with, affected by, or consisting of rust: a rusty machine; a rusty deposit

  2. of the colour rust

  1. discoloured by age: a rusty coat

  2. (of the voice) tending to croak

  3. old-fashioned in appearance; seemingly antiquated: a rusty old gentleman

  4. out of practice; impaired in skill or knowledge by inaction or neglect

  5. (of plants) affected by the rust fungus

Derived forms of rusty

  • rustily, adverb
  • rustiness, noun

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