rustier; rustiest
1
: affected by or as if by rust
especially : stiff with or as if with rust
2
: inept and slow through lack of practice or old age
3
a
: of the color rust
b
: dulled in color or appearance by age and use
rusty old boots
4
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
Sunny yellow, warm cinnamon, pastel pink, royal purple, rusty red—these are just a few of the available colors of chrysanthemums. Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 19 Nov. 2024 Opened in October 2024, the easy 0.3-mile loop trail features 20 educational displays that identify the rusty parts and faint remains of a working cattle operation that operated from 1916 though the 1970s. Mare Czinar, The Arizona Republic, 14 Nov. 2024 But for now, the city remains, still producing oil, still all but sealed off from outsiders, a rusty patchwork symbol of an industry in slow decline. Laura Paddison, CNN, 6 Nov. 2024 Does that make up the difference against a decent team that’s healthy and rested, albeit also rusty? Sean McIndoe, The Athletic, 12 Aug. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near rusty

Cite this Entry

“Rusty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rusty. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.

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
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