Word
rusty
Rusty means covered with rust or not as good at something because you have not done it for a while.
Meanings
Covered with rust, especially on metal, usually from exposure to water and air.
Not as good or confident at a skill as before because you have not practiced recently.
Having a reddish-brown color like rust.
Definition
Rusty most often describes metal that has formed a reddish-brown layer because it has been exposed to air and moisture. It can also describe a skill that has become weaker from lack of practice. In both cases, it suggests something needs cleaning, repair, or practice to improve again.
Examples
- The gate was rusty and hard to open.
- I’m a bit rusty at speaking French.
- The old tools looked rusty after the rainy season.
- After months off, my tennis serve felt rusty.
- She wore a rusty brown jacket in the fall.
Common mistake
Learners sometimes say "rusty" when they mean "dirty" or "dusty," but "rusty" specifically refers to rust on metal or a lack of practice in a skill.
More adjectives
- agnostic An agnostic is someone who does not claim to know whether God exists.
- pragmatic Pragmatic means focused on practical results rather than ideals or theories.
- ubiquitous Present, appearing, or found everywhere at the same time.
- cynical Cynical describes believing that people are mainly motivated by self-interest and not sincere.
- apathetic Apathetic means showing little or no interest, concern, or enthusiasm.