Definitions
- Describing a small and insignificant person or animal. - Referring to someone who is weak, timid, or easily intimidated. - Talking about a person or animal that lacks strength or power.
- Describing the smallest and weakest animal in a litter. - Referring to a person who is small, weak, or inferior compared to others. - Talking about someone or something that is considered insignificant or unimportant.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words describe something or someone that is small or weak.
- 2Both words can be used to describe animals or people.
- 3Both words have negative connotations.
- 4Both words can be used as nouns or adjectives.
What is the difference?
- 1Usage: Runt is more commonly used than whiffet in everyday language.
- 2Animals: Runt specifically refers to the smallest and weakest animal in a litter, while whiffet can refer to any small or insignificant animal.
- 3People: Whiffet emphasizes timidity and lack of confidence, while runt emphasizes physical size and inferiority.
- 4Connotation: Whiffet has a more archaic and literary connotation, while runt is more commonly used in modern language.
Remember this!
Whiffet and runt are synonyms that describe something or someone that is small or weak. However, the difference between whiffet and runt is their origin, usage, and emphasis. Whiffet is an archaic term that emphasizes timidity and lack of confidence, while runt is a more commonly used term that emphasizes physical size and inferiority, specifically in animals.