pygmy
noun
pyg·my ˈpig-mē 
variants or less commonly pigmy
plural pygmies also pigmies
1
often capitalized : any of a race of dwarfs described by ancient Greek authors
2
capitalized : any of a small people of equatorial Africa ranging under five feet (1.5 meters) in height
3
a(1)
: an unusually small person
(2)
: an insignificant or unimpressive person
an intellectual pygmy
b
: something very small of its kind
pygmy adjective
Synonyms
- diminutive
- dwarf
- midget
- mite
- peewee
- runt
- scrub
- shrimp
- Tom Thumb
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
hummingbirds may be the pygmies of the avian world, but what they lack in size they make up for in beauty regrettably, most of the candidates for the party's nomination that year were political pygmies
Recent Examples on the Web The pygmy, or ground rattler, was historically found throughout Alabama, but recently has mostly only been spotted in the extreme southern parts of the state. 
Dennis Pillion | Dpillion@al.com, al, 1 Aug. 2022 As a half-Nigerian dwarf and half-pygmy goat, Frankie is an example of two miniature breeds. oregonlive, 19 July 2022 The petting zoo will include rabbits, pygmy goats, llamas, donkeys, and more. Hartford Courant, 5 July 2022 Weighing in at a formidable 100 grams, the pygmy marmoset is the smallest monkey found on earth. Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 18 May 2022 Five month-old male Nigerian dwarf goats and two African pygmy hedgehogs are the latest additions to Randall Oaks Zoo in West Dundee as the public facility opens for the 2022 season. Mike Danahey, chicagotribune.com, 1 Apr. 2022 For the cactus ferruginous pygmy owl, exemptions are related to certain outreach, monitoring, habitat restoration, and survey efforts. Lindsey Botts, The Arizona Republic, 20 Feb. 2022 Unlike many of Arizona's birds, cactus ferruginous pygmy owls do not migrate or fly great distances. Lindsey Botts, The Arizona Republic, 20 Feb. 2022 Just last year, half of Washington’s pygmy rabbit population was killed during wildfires. Washington Post, 24 July 2021 See More
Dennis Pillion | Dpillion@al.com, al, 1 Aug. 2022 As a half-Nigerian dwarf and half-pygmy goat, Frankie is an example of two miniature breeds. oregonlive, 19 July 2022 The petting zoo will include rabbits, pygmy goats, llamas, donkeys, and more. Hartford Courant, 5 July 2022 Weighing in at a formidable 100 grams, the pygmy marmoset is the smallest monkey found on earth. Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 18 May 2022 Five month-old male Nigerian dwarf goats and two African pygmy hedgehogs are the latest additions to Randall Oaks Zoo in West Dundee as the public facility opens for the 2022 season. Mike Danahey, chicagotribune.com, 1 Apr. 2022 For the cactus ferruginous pygmy owl, exemptions are related to certain outreach, monitoring, habitat restoration, and survey efforts. Lindsey Botts, The Arizona Republic, 20 Feb. 2022 Unlike many of Arizona's birds, cactus ferruginous pygmy owls do not migrate or fly great distances. Lindsey Botts, The Arizona Republic, 20 Feb. 2022 Just last year, half of Washington’s pygmy rabbit population was killed during wildfires. Washington Post, 24 July 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English pigmei, from Latin pygmaeus of a pygmy, dwarfish, from Greek pygmaios, from pygmē fist, measure of length — more at pungent
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing pygmy
Kids Definition
pygmy
adjective
pyg·my
ˈpig-mē
: smaller than the usual size
a pygmy goat
Medical Definition
pygmy
noun
pyg·my
variants also pigmy
ˈpig-mē
plural pygmies also pigmies
1
capitalized : any of a small people of equatorial Africa ranging under five feet (1.5 meters) in height
2
: a relatively short or small individual : dwarf
pygmies
noun
variants also pigmies
1
as in dwarves
a living thing much smaller than others of its kind hummingbirds may be the pygmies of the avian world, but what they lack in size they make up for in beauty Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- dwarves
- dwarfs
- shrimps
- midgets
- diminutives
- shrimp
- runts
- peewees
- mites
- scrubs
- miniatures
- Tom Thumbs
- minis
- bantams
- nubbins
- homunculi
- mannikins
- manikins
- half-pints
- hop-o'-my-thumbs
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- giants
- mammoths
- monsters
- behemoths
- titans
- whales
- leviathans
- colossi
- jumbos
- whoppers
2
as in numbers
a person of no importance or influence regrettably, most of the candidates for the party's nomination that year were political pygmies Synonyms & Similar Words
- numbers
- shrimps
- insects
- dwarves
- dwarfs
- lightweights
- whippersnappers
- nobodies
- nonentities
- twerps
- shrimp
- nullities
- zeroes
- pip-squeaks
- insignificancies
- snippersnappers
- ciphers
- morsels
- zeros
- half-pints
- obscurities
- nonpersons
- mediocrities
- inferiors
- noncelebrities
- puppets
- zilches
- no-names
- leasts
- figureheads
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- leaders
- figures
- chiefs
- eminences
- bigwigs
- kahunas
- magnates
- personages
- nabobs
- kingpins
- big shots
- heads
- big wheels
- celebrities
- stars
- personalities
- somebodies
- planets
- notables
- luminaries
- superstars
- leads
- authorities
- superiors
- VIPs
- powers
- parties
- great powers