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
Position the rusty sections of your tools in the bucket and soak the tools for 12 to 24 hours to loosen the rust. Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Dec. 2024 How To Properly Clean Cast Iron Don't toss your cast iron in soapy water to soak for hours—another mistake that will lead to a rusty pan. Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 6 Dec. 2024 Volunteers learn to clean seeds and redistribute them in areas that need more habitat for the endangered monarch butterfly and rusty patched bumble bee. Amy Chillag, CNN, 3 Dec. 2024 Transfer Chandler Rogers, who passed for more than 7,000 yards at Louisiana Monroe and North Texas, appeared rusty and out of rhythm early after likely getting few first-team practice reps all week. Jeff Faraudo, The Mercury News, 30 Nov. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near rusty

Cite this Entry

“Rusty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rusty. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.

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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