rusty

1 of 2

adjective (1)

ˈrə-stē 

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

: outmoded

5

: hoarse, grating

rustily

ˈrə-stə-lē 

adverb

rustiness

ˈrə-stē-nəs 

noun

rusty

2 of 2

adjective (2)

rus·​ty ˈrə-stē 

rustier; rustiest

chiefly dialectal

: ill-natured, surly

Synonyms

Adjective (1)

• archaic
• antiquated
• obsolete
• medieval
• old
• prehistoric

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

Adjective

In the opening moments of the eighth episode, Nina (Rachel Hilson) awakens chained to rusty pipes in a dingy warehouse after her cover as Russian interpreter is blown. —Hunter Ingram, Variety, 4 July 2025

And Clarke, although hilariously rusty at first given his time away from battle, eventually settles into the role of a comedic Punisher of sorts. —Siddhant Adlakha, IndieWire, 27 June 2025

Ohtani’s command looked rusty, the right-hander missing the zone 12 times including one wild pitch. —Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2025

While fall lends itself to burnt, rusty, and foliage hues, winter skews more deep and snowy. —Kiana Murden, Vogue, 13 May 2025

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

Rhymes for rusty

• crusty
• dusty
• gusty
• lusty
• musty
• trusty

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