Dwarf vs. Midget: Difference and Comparison
Edited by Muazma Batool — By Muneeza Rehman — Published on January 8, 2024
A "dwarf" refers to a person with a medical or genetic condition resulting in short stature, while "midget" is an outdated, often offensive term historically used to describe short individuals, especially in show business.
Difference Between Dwarf and Midget
"Dwarf" and "midget" are terms that have been employed to describe individuals of shorter stature. Although both words have been used interchangeably in the past, their connotations and modern usage have evolved, rendering a distinction between the two vital.
Muneeza Rehman
Jan 08, 2024
"Dwarf" is a term associated with individuals who have a medical or genetic condition causing them to be shorter than average. The conditions, often termed as dwarfism, are characterized by disproportionate body parts or proportionate short stature. "Dwarf" is regarded as the more medically accurate and respectful term. For instance, someone with achondroplasia, a common form of dwarfism, would have short limbs but a regular-sized torso.
Muazma Batool
Jan 08, 2024
On the contrary, "midget" has its origins in show business, particularly in the circus world of the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was used to label short-statured individuals who performed in entertainment acts. Over time, the term has been recognized as derogatory, mainly due to its non-medical roots and the stereotypes it propagated.
Muneeza Rehman
Jan 08, 2024
Today, "dwarf" is the preferred terminology when referencing individuals with medical conditions resulting in short stature. In contrast, "midget" is largely avoided due to its potentially offensive nature. It's crucial to approach these terms with sensitivity, respecting the preferences of the individuals they may describe.
Muneeza Rehman
Jan 08, 2024
Dwarf vs. Midget Comparison Chart
Modern Usage
Refers to persons with dwarfism
Largely avoided due to potential offensiveness
Muneeza Rehman
Jan 08, 2024
Relation to Proportion
Can have disproportionate or proportionate short stature
Historically not related to proportionality
Leo
Jan 08, 2024
Historical Context
Used in medical contexts
Used in entertainment, especially circuses
Muneeza Rehman
Jan 08, 2024
Dwarf vs. Midget Definitions
◉Dwarf
A person with a medical condition causing short stature.
She was diagnosed with a form of dwarfism in childhood.
Muazma Batool
Sep 24, 2023
◉Midget
(Outdated, often offensive) A very small person.
He was referred to as a midget in the old circus acts.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Dwarf
A star with relatively low luminosity and a small size.
Our sun is considered a yellow dwarf.
William
Sep 24, 2023
◉Midget
A small variety of a particular animal or plant.
The midget apple tree produces smaller fruits.
Leo
Sep 24, 2023
◉Dwarf
An individual with unusually short stature due to genetic factors.
He's the only dwarf in his family.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Midget
Pertaining to something that's reduced in scale.
The midget submarine is used for specific missions.
Nolan
Sep 24, 2023
◉Dwarf
Anything much smaller than the usual of its kind.
The dwarf tree is perfect for our small garden.
Nolan
Sep 24, 2023
◉Midget
Historically, a term in show business for short performers.
The circus had a midget act in the early 1900s.
Henry
Sep 24, 2023
◉Dwarf
A creature from folklore often depicted as small and skilled in craftwork.
Dwarves are often portrayed as great blacksmiths in myths.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Midget
Anything significantly smaller than the usual of its kind.
She drives a midget car designed for compact spaces.
Muazma Batool
Sep 24, 2023
◉Dwarf
A person with a usually genetic disorder resulting in atypically short stature and often disproportionate limbs.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Midget
(Offensive) An extremely small person who is otherwise normally proportioned.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Dwarf
A small creature resembling a human, often having magical powers, appearing in legends and fairy tales.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Midget
A class of small objects, as a class of very small sailboats or racing cars.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Dwarf
To check the natural growth or development of; stunt
"The oaks were dwarfed from lack of moisture" (John Steinbeck).
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Midget
Belonging to a type or class much smaller than what is considered standard
a midget automobile.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Dwarf
To cause to appear small by comparison
"Together these two big men dwarfed the tiny Broadway office" (Saul Bellow).
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Midget
(originally) A little sandfly.
Although tiny and just two-winged, midgets can bite you till you itch all over your unprotected skin.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Midget
(loosely) Any small swarming insect similar to the mosquito; a midge.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Dwarf
(mythology) Any member of a race of beings from (especially Scandinavian and other Germanic) folklore, usually depicted as having some sort of supernatural powers and being skilled in crafting and metalworking, often as short with long beards, and sometimes as clashing with elves.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Midget
A normally-proportioned person with small stature, usually defined as reaching an adult height less than 4'10".
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Dwarf
A person of short stature, often one whose limbs are disproportionately small in relation to the body as compared with typical adults, usually as the result of a genetic condition.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Dwarf
An animal, plant or other thing much smaller than the usual of its sort.
dwarf tree
dwarf honeysuckle
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Sep 24, 2023
◉Midget
(attributively) A small version of something; miniature.
the midget pony
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Sep 24, 2023
◉Dwarf
Miniature.
The specimen is a very dwarf form of the plant.
It is possible to grow the plants as dwarf as one desires.
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Sep 24, 2023
◉Midget
A very diminutive person having normal proportions of the body parts; compare dwarf.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Dwarf
(transitive) To make appear (much) smaller, puny, tiny.
The newly-built skyscraper dwarfs all older buildings in the downtown skyline.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Midget
very small;
diminutive in stature
a lilliputian chest of drawers
her petite figure
tiny feet
the flyspeck nation of Bahrain moved toward democracy
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Dwarf
(transitive) To make appear insignificant.
Bach dwarfs all other composers.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Dwarf
To hinder from growing to the natural size; to make or keep small; to stunt.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Dwarf
An animal or plant which is much below the ordinary size of its species or kind.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Dwarf
A diminutive human being, small in stature due to a pathological condition which causes a distortion of the proportions of body parts to each other, such as the limbs, torso, and head. A person of unusually small height who has normal body proportions is usually called a midget.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Dwarf
A small, usually misshapen person, typically a man, who may have magical powers; mythical dwarves were often depicted as living underground in caves.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Dwarf
To hinder from growing to the natural size; to make or keep small; to stunt.
Even the most common moral ideas and affections . . . would be stunted and dwarfed, if cut off from a spiritual background.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Dwarf
To become small; to diminish in size.
Strange power of the world that, the moment we enter it, our great conceptions dwarf.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Dwarf
a legendary creature resembling a tiny old man; lives in the depths of the earth and guards buried treasure
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
◉Dwarf
make appear small by comparison;
This year's debt dwarves that of last year
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 24, 2023
Dwarf vs. Midget Frequently Asked Questions
Does dwarfism only refer to individuals with disproportionate bodies?
No, dwarfism can refer to both disproportionate and proportionate short stature.
Muneeza Rehman
Jan 08, 2024
Do all individuals with short stature have dwarfism?
No, not all short individuals have dwarfism; it's specific to certain medical and genetic conditions.
Jonathan
Jan 08, 2024
Is "dwarf" considered a respectful term?
Yes, "dwarf" is a medically accurate term and is considered respectful when referring to individuals with dwarfism.
Muneeza Rehman
Jan 08, 2024
Can "dwarf" also refer to objects?
Yes, "dwarf" can describe anything much smaller than the usual, like dwarf planets or dwarf trees.
Nolan
Jan 08, 2024
Is the term "midget" still widely used today?
No, "midget" is largely avoided today due to its potentially offensive nature.
Muazma Batool
Jan 08, 2024
Was "midget" ever a medical term?
No, "midget" originated in show business and was not a medical designation.
Nolan
Jan 08, 2024
Is it appropriate to use "midget" in casual conversation?
It's best to avoid "midget" in conversation as it can be considered derogatory.
Lucas
Jan 08, 2024
How many types of dwarfism are there?
There are over 200 types of dwarfism, with achondroplasia being the most common.
Olivia
Jan 08, 2024
Are there medical conditions associated with the term "midget"?
No, "midget" was not based on medical conditions but was used in entertainment contexts.
Muneeza Rehman
Jan 08, 2024
Can "dwarf" also refer to mythical creatures?
Yes, in folklore and fantasy, dwarves are often depicted as small beings skilled in crafting and mining.
Muneeza Rehman
Jan 08, 2024
Content Creators
Written by
Muneeza RehmanAt Comparisons.wiki, Muneeza skillfully navigates the vast sea of information, ensuring clarity and accuracy as the lead content editor. With a keen eye for detail, she curates every comparison to enlighten and engage readers.
Edited by
Muazma BatoolAs a content editor, Muazma Batool is not just a grammar guru but a creative mastermind who breathes life into every word. With an eagle eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, she transforms bland text into engaging content that captivates audiences and drives results.
