runts

IPA/rʌnt/
IPA/rʌnt/

runts — noun

  • runtssingular
  • runtsesplural

1. the smallest or weakest baby animal in a group that shares one mother, often nee

1.名詞B1
釋義

the smallest or weakest baby animal in a group that shares one mother, often needing extra help to survive compared to its siblings.

例句

The pig farmer saw the runt of the litter was not feeding as well as the others.

collocation: 'runt of the litter'

Sari adopted the runt though it was half the size of its siblings.

同義詞
  • weakling

    also describes a weak creature, but not specifically the smallest of a litter

文法句型

runt of [article] + [litter/group]

用法筆記

This sense almost always appears with a following prepositional phrase identifying the group: 'runt of the litter', 'runt of the litter of puppies'.

常見錯誤

❌The cat had four runts.
✅The cat had four kittens, and one was a runt.
💡A litter normally has only one runt; the word refers to the single smallest member, not all small animals.

2. an insulting word for a person who is small, weak, or seen as unimportant, espec

2.名詞B2
釋義

an insulting word for a person who is small, weak, or seen as unimportant, especially by bullies.

例句

The older boys called Theo a runt because he was shorter than his classmates.

pattern: 'call [someone] a runt'

Salma refused to be treated like a runt for being new to the team.

同義詞
  • weakling

    less common; emphasises physical weakness rather than small size

  • shrimp

    slang for a short person; slightly less harsh than 'runt'

文法句型

call [someone] a runt

用法筆記

This is a derogatory term. Using it about a person is considered insulting and may cause offence. Distinguish from sense 1, which refers only to animals.

常見錯誤

❌He is a runt — he only weighs 50 kg.
✅He is quite short.
💡Calling a person a 'runt' is insulting, not a neutral description of size.