Certainly! The word "runty" is an adjective. Here’s a simple explanation:
"Runty" describes someone or something that is smaller than average or smaller than what is typical for their kind. It is often used to talk about people or animals that are short or small in size.
In more formal writing or discussions, you might describe an animal or person as "physically smaller than their peers" instead of using "runty." However, in casual conversation, "runty" is perfectly acceptable.
While "runty" primarily refers to size, it can also be used metaphorically to describe something that is less significant or less impressive than others. - Example: "The runty project didn’t get as much funding as the larger initiatives."
There are no common idioms or phrasal verbs that directly use "runty," but you might come across phrases like "the smaller the better" in contexts where size is being discussed positively.
So, in summary, "runty" is a word you can use to describe someone or something that is smaller than usual.