1. a member of any of various peoples of very short stature, especially those of equatorial Africa
Usage: often capitalized when referring to specific ethnic groups
2. an unusually small person, animal, or thing
3. a person who is insignificant or lacking in a particular quality
Usage: often used figuratively

1. unusually small in size

Examples

• The Pygmy peoples of Central Africa have adapted to life in dense rainforests.
• A pygmy hippopotamus is much smaller than its full-sized relative.
• The garden featured pygmy palm trees that stayed under four feet tall.
• He felt like an intellectual pygmy among the brilliant professors.
• The pygmy owl is one of the smallest owl species in North America.
• She collected pygmy versions of common houseplants for her tiny apartment.