pygmy

Everyday

1. (of animals and plants) A very small kind of a species, much smaller than its relatives, such as a pygmy hippo, pygmy goat or pygmy marmoset. tree →
2. (often offensive) An old word for members of some peoples in Central Africa who are short; today people prefer to use the names of the peoples themselves, such as the Mbuti or Baka. tree →
3. (informal, insulting) A person thought to be unimportant. tree →

In the lessons

In science and zoo topics, pygmy is part of animal names: pygmy hippo, pygmy seahorse, pygmy shrew, pygmy possum. In geography and history, children learn to name peoples respectfully. Phrases: pygmy hippopotamus, pygmy goat.

Examples

• The pygmy hippo lives in the forests of West Africa. tree →
• A pygmy seahorse is smaller than your fingernail. tree →
• The farm had three cheeky pygmy goats. tree →
• The pygmy marmoset is one of the smallest monkeys. tree →
• The pygmy possum sleeps through the cold winter in Australia. tree →
• Our guide used the name Baka for the forest people instead of an old label. tree →
• "I am your enemy," answered the valiant Pygmy, in his mightiest squeak. tree →

Note

Plural pygmies. Also spelled pigmy. Safe to use for animals; for people, the word is often seen as insulting.