rusty

[ˈɹʌsti]

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An old or unused thing that has become weak or imperfect because of age is called "rusty".

When something's been sitting around for too long, it can get rusty. If your bike's been locked up outside for months and you finally take it out, the chain might be all rusty and creaky. This means the metal has oxidized and started to break down. But being rusty isn't always a bad thing - some people even like old, rusty tools because they have character. Sometimes "rusty" is used more loosely to mean something's a bit outdated or not as good as it used to be. For example, if you watched an old TV show from the 80s and thought it was cheesy, you might say it's "a little rusty."

How common is "rusty"?

Word rusty is considered uncommon in modern English.
It appears most frequently in fiction texts and less often in other writings.

Definitions

adjective

Marked or corroded by rust.
Of the rust color, reddish or reddish-brown.
Lacking recent experience, out of practice, especially with respect to a skill or activity.
Of clothing, especially dark clothing: worn, shabby.
Affected with the fungal plant disease called rust.

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