stunted

Everyday

1. Stunted means smaller or shorter than normal because growth has been stopped or slowed, often by poor food, illness or a hard place to live. tree →
2. Stunted can describe something that has not developed properly, like stunted progress. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons on plants it is a result of too little light, water or nutrients, which pupils test in fair-test experiments. In geography and health, stunted growth in children is caused by not having enough good food over a long time, an important world problem. Phrases: «stunted growth», «stunted trees», «stunt the growth of».

Examples

• The plant kept in the dark was pale and stunted. tree →
• High on the mountain only stunted trees could grow. tree →
• Children without enough food can have stunted growth. tree →
• Wind and salt left the trees stunted and bent. tree →
• Our results showed that plants with no water were stunted. tree →
• The war stunted the town's growth for many years. tree →
• Just look! that rose is all slug-eaten, and this one is stunted! tree →

Note

Past form of «stunt» used as an adjective. «Stunt» also means a daring trick (a stunt), which is a different word. Myth: coffee does not stunt children's growth, but it is still not good for children.