pygmy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pygmy" is correct and usable in written English, though it can be considered outdated or offensive in some contexts.
It can be used to refer to certain ethnic groups in Africa, particularly those of short stature, but caution is advised due to potential negative connotations. Example: "The pygmy tribes of the Congo have a rich cultural heritage that is often overlooked."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ron Austin Hadleigh, Suffolk David Cameron's closing comments perfectly illustrate the paucity of vision of today's pygmy politicians.

The Guardian

You'll visit the world's largest orang-utan sanctuary, investigate where bird's nest soup comes from and where thousands of bats live, snorkel on Tiga Island and, best of all, take jungle walks and river cruises through the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary - an area crammed with unusual creatures, including Asian pygmy elephants, sun bears, proboscis monkeys and the sublimely serene orang-utans.

The Guardian - Travel

What chance had we, the lost 'province' cut off from the national affairs of the emerging Irish Free State and ring-fenced from the traditions of Westminster by a sectarian parliament at Stormont, but to be subjected to nothing more than pygmy politics and politicians?

The Guardian

In 1906 the chimp cage at the New York Zoological Society included a pygmy man, until objections from black clergymen led to his withdrawal.Thankfully there were pioneers to move zoos out of their dark age.

The Economist

They include a giraffe, two lions, four zebras, a rhino and a pygmy hippo.

The Economist

That is also the age at which they become sexually mature about three years earlier than taller people.The other part of the argument is that all observed pygmy populations have a short life expectancy.

The Economist

A mathematical model used by the team confirms that, given pygmy life expectancies, their growth and reproduction patterns have indeed been optimised by natural selection.

The Economist

Saving the pygmy hogs had been touch and go; he had drawn up his first action plan in 1977, but was unable to get the state of Assam and the government of India to agree to protect them properly until 1995.

The Economist

Given that last weekend's match attracted a sell-out crowd of 27,000, Mr Vergara's point—"Passion is contagious"—is surely proven.Meanwhile, MLS remains a pygmy in American sport, with an average match attendance last season of just 15,600 compared with over 60,000 for all but two teams in America's 32-strong National Football League.

The Economist

ITALY has long been an oddity: economic giant and political pygmy.

The Economist

Mr Bush, who has described North Korea as part of an "axis of evil" and Mr Kim as a "pygmy", will certainly move no faster.The new working groups, which are due to meet within 30 days, could rapidly get bogged down in bickering.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "pygmy" to refer to people, be aware of the potential for offense. Consider using alternative terms like "short-statured people" or referring to specific ethnic groups by their proper names to avoid generalizations.

Common error

Avoid using "pygmy" as a general insult or to diminish someone's importance or capabilities. This usage is insensitive and perpetuates harmful stereotypes.

Linguistic Context

The word "pygmy" functions primarily as a noun when referring to a member of certain ethnic groups or as an adjective to describe something smaller than usual. Ludwig AI confirms that it is generally considered correct, but the examples show it's important to be mindful of potential negative connotations when referring to people.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Encyclopedias

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "pygmy" can function as both a noun and an adjective, primarily denoting small size or referring to specific ethnic groups. While grammatically correct, as Ludwig AI confirms, its usage requires careful consideration due to potential negative connotations. When describing people, prioritize respectful language and specific group names over the generic term "pygmy". As evidenced by the examples, this word is very commonly found in "News & Media", "Encyclopedias" and "Science" but less frequently in formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dwarf

Refers to a person of unusually small stature, similar to "pygmy" but without the specific ethnic connotations.

midget

Another term for a person of unusually small stature, sometimes considered offensive.

diminutive

Implies a notably small size, often used in a descriptive or technical context.

tiny

Emphasizes the extremely small size of something.

small

A general term for something of reduced size, applicable in various contexts.

undersized

Indicates that something is smaller than the typical or expected size.

lilliputian

Evokes a sense of extreme smallness, often used figuratively.

petite

Describes something gracefully small, often applied to people or things with delicate features.

minor

Indicates something small in importance, extent, or size.

insignificant

Highlights the lack of importance or consequence, often in a figurative sense.

FAQs

How can I use "pygmy" in a sentence?

You can use "pygmy" to describe something that is very small, or to refer to certain ethnic groups known for their short stature. For example: "The "pygmy hog" is the smallest wild pig in the world" or "The "pygmy people" of Central Africa are known for their traditional hunter-gatherer lifestyle".

Is it offensive to use the word "pygmy"?

The term "pygmy" can be considered offensive when used to describe people, especially if it is used in a derogatory or dehumanizing way. It's better to use more respectful and specific terms, or alternative phrases like "short-statured people".

What are some synonyms for "pygmy" when referring to small size?

When referring to small size, you can use words like "dwarf", "miniature", "tiny", or "small".

What is the difference between "pygmy" and "dwarf"?

"Pygmy" typically refers to specific groups of people with short stature or very small animals or plants, while "dwarf" generally refers to a person or thing that is significantly below the average size for its kind. The term "dwarfism" also describes a medical condition causing short stature.