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
Open Pine Forests Eufala National Wildlife Refuge One of the most significant environments for wintering rusty blackbirds, Eufala National Wildlife Refuge is also host to an ecosystem of wiregrass and longleaf pines, a keystone tree species native to the Southeastern United States. Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 8 Mar. 2025 The celestial event, which will see the moon change to rusty red hues, will occur in the U.S. on the night of March 13-14. Saman Shafiq, USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2025 In the very early hours of March 14, the moon will cross different parts of Earth’s shadow and thus display a range of rusty hues. Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Mar. 2025 During the roughly hour of totality—when the moon is fully in our planet’s shadow—the full moon turns a rusty tinge. Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 1 Mar. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rusty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rusty. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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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