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Definition of rusty

rusty

/ˈrʌsti/
rus · ty
Adverb:rustily
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rusty Lexical Profile

rusty Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Covered with, affected by, or consisting of rust (especially of iron or steel objects exposed to moisture).

Example

"The old garden gate had rusty hinges that creaked loudly whenever someone pushed it open."

2

Impaired in skill, knowledge, or fluency through lack of recent practice or use.

Example

"My conversational French is a bit rusty because I have not spoken the language since college."

3

Having a reddish-brown or yellowish-brown color resembling rust.

Example

"In late autumn, the maple leaves turned a warm, rusty orange before falling to the ground."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for rusty

• Nearby Words

rustling
rustproof
rustproofing
rusty
rut
ruta
rutabaga

Word Origin & Etymology

Recorded in Old English as rustig, formed from the noun rust (derived from a Proto-Germanic root meaning 'red') combined with the adjectival suffix -ig (-y).

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Rusty. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/rusty
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