Midget vs. Pygmy — What's the Difference?

Midget (from midge, a sand fly) is a term for a person of unusually short stature that is considered by some to be pejorative. While not a medical term, it has been applied to persons of unusually short stature, often with dwarfism, a medical condition with a number of causes including achondroplasia, and particularly proportionate dwarfism.

Greek Mythology A member of a race of dwarfs.

(Offensive) An extremely small person who is otherwise normally proportioned.

Also pygmy A member of any of various peoples, especially of equatorial Africa and parts of Southeast Asia, having an average height less than 5 feet (1.5 meters).

A small or miniature version of something.

An individual of unusually small size.

A class of small objects, as a class of very small sailboats or racing cars.

An individual considered to be of little or no importance

Miniature; diminutive.

Also pygmy Of or relating to the Pygmies.

Belonging to a type or class much smaller than what is considered standard

Unusually or atypically small.

(originally) A little sandfly.

Unimportant; trivial.

(loosely) Any small swarming insect similar to the mosquito; a midge.

A member of one of various Ancient Equatorial African tribal peoples, notable for their very short stature.

A normally-proportioned person with small stature, usually defined as reaching an adult height less than 4'10".

(Greek mythology) A member of a race of dwarfs.

Any short person.

Any dwarfish person or thing.

(attributively) A small version of something; miniature.

An insignificant person, at least in some respect.

A minute bloodsucking fly.

Relating or belonging to the Pygmy people.

A very diminutive person having normal proportions of the body parts; compare dwarf.

Like a pygmy; unusually short or small for its kind.

A person who is abnormally small

Of or pertaining to a pygmy; resembling a pygmy or dwarf; dwarfish; very small.

Very small;

One of a fabulous race of dwarfs who waged war with the cranes, and were destroyed.

Hence, a short, insignificant person; a dwarf.

One of a race of Central African Negritos found chiefly in the great forests of the equatorial belt. They are the shortest of known races, the adults ranging from less than four to about five feet in stature. They are timid and shy, dwelling in the recesses of the forests, though often on good terms with neighboring Negroes.

An unusually small individual

Any member of various peoples having an average height of less than five feet