rustier; rustiest
Synonyms of rustynext
1
: affected by or as if by rust
especially : stiff with or as if with rust
2
: not as good or quick as usual or as in the past because of lack of practice or use
3
a
: of the color rust
b
: dulled in color or appearance by age and use
rusty old boots
4
: outmoded
rusty jokes
5
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
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Adjective
Alcaraz also played in the mixed doubles event, looking rusty while partnering with Serena Williams to win one match before falling. Brian Mahoney, Hartford Courant, 31 Aug. 2026 Byblow says earth tones will be major this season — think rusty red, forest green, burnt orange, and chocolate brown. Jamie Allison Sanders, PEOPLE, 30 Aug. 2026 Yet these survivors are so hard-wired to be fearful of their neighbors that Hig and Cima’s rusty, tentative flirtation takes place under the gaze of her daddy’s gun, a heck of a chaperone. Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026 Hinges Look for any hinges that appear loose, bent, or rusty. Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 28 Aug. 2026 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 1 Sep. 2026.

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
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