rusty Hear it!

rusty Definition

rusty (rus)

adjective rusti·er, rusti·est

  1. coated with rust, as a metal, or affected with the disease of rust, as a plant
  2. consisting of or caused by rust
  3. not working freely, easily, or quietly because of, or as if because of, rust; stiff or rasping in operation
    1. impaired by disuse, neglect, etc. to find one's golf game rusty
    2. having lost facility through lack of practice to be a little rusty in chess
  4. having the color of rust
  5. faded, old-looking, or shabby

Etymology: ME < OE rustig

rusty Related Forms

rusti·ly adverb rusti·ness noun

rusty Synonyms

rusty

modif.

  1. Decayed

    corroded, unused, neglected, worn; see crumbly, old 2, rotten 2.

  2. Unpracticed

    out of practice, soft, out of shape; see weak 6.

rusty Usage Examples

Adjective complement with noun phrase

  • feel: Anyway, let me know what you think - I have to admit I feel a bit rusty.
  • look: This looked a bit rusty to say the least.
  • get: Was past grade 8 on oboe, but getting a bit rusty.

Modifies a noun

  • nail: Old rusty nails were often tried in times past, to turn flowers blue.
  • tinge: There was still a slight rusty tinge on the edge of some of the feathers on its back which confirmed the identification.
  • hinge: She unlocked huge, studded, oak doors, pushing them open to the accompaniment of perfect B movie groans from the rusty hinges.
  • railing: The base of the grave, surrounded by rusty iron railings, is also in a pretty rough state.
  • bolt: I've stripped the front end down ( nice rusty bolts!
  • sword: A blunt rusty sword will do - slow and painful!

Modifying Another Word

  • somewhat: She also speaks French ( speech is somewhat rusty ) having studied it for her ' A ' levels.
  • little: A little rusty on your 10 to 2, your Roll or Spey cast?
  • slightly: We always assume people's memory of the languages is slightly rusty.
  • pretty: Murph - Yeah - I dropped in on my old life drawing class a couple years ago, and I felt pretty rusty.
  • rather: The weapon, tho, has not been used of late and is rather rusty.
  • very: The machinery is very rusty, except for the copper parts.

Used with adjective complement

  • go: My rear drums are going rusty, what can I do?
  • look: Despite his relatively recent return to action, he's not looking too rusty.
  • become: Some children may also have allowed their road safety skills to become rusty over the summer holidays.
  • feel: Matt was speaking Greek, but he felt rusty, felt awkward, was waiting for her to rescue him.
  • get: Let's hope Herbie doesn't get rusty in stormy Manchester!

Browse dictionary entries near rusty

  1. rustproof
  2. rustling
  3. rustler
  4. rustle up
  5. rustle
  6. Rustin
  7. rusticate
  8. rustical
  9. rustic
  10. rust-colored
  1. rut
  2. rutabaga
  3. ruth
  4. Ruthenia
  5. Ruthenian
  6. ruthenic
  7. ruthenious
  8. ruthenium
  9. rutherford
  10. Rutherford atom