Language matters most when we are paying the least attention to it. In dating, that moment often arrives early: the first message, the first phone call, the first time you introduce the person you have been seeing to someone else. Use the wrong word and you may not get a second chance to explain.

This article is not a rulebook or a lecture. It is a practical guide to the terminology that surrounds height diversity, written to help anyone on this platform feel more confident about the words they use, and to explain clearly why this site carries the name it does.

The Main Terms and What They Mean

Several terms are in active use, each with different associations and histories. Understanding the distinctions matters both medically and socially.

Little person

This is the term most commonly preferred by advocacy organisations and by many people within the community. Little People of America, the UK's Little People UK, and most peer support groups use it as their default. It is person-first language, focusing on the individual rather than a condition, and carries no clinical or historical baggage.

Person of short stature

Longer and more formal, this phrase is equally respectful and widely accepted. It is often used in medical, legal, and policy contexts where precision matters. Some people prefer it because it is entirely neutral and avoids any group identity claim. Others find it a bit clinical for everyday conversation.

Dwarf

This is a medical term used to describe people whose height results from one of approximately 200 known medical conditions affecting bone growth, the most common being achondroplasia. Little People of America uses "dwarf" alongside "little person" in its official materials, and some individuals use it with pride. Others find it cold or outdated. The key point: it is not automatically offensive, but personal preference varies more widely than it does with "little person".

Short stature

A broad medical descriptor covering anyone whose height falls significantly below the average for their age and sex, typically defined as below the third height percentile or under 4 ft 10 in (147 cm) for adults. Not everyone of short stature has dwarfism; short stature can result from genetics, hormonal factors, nutrition, or simply natural variation. It is a clinical phrase rather than an identity term, used in healthcare and research.

A useful starting point: follow the individual's lead. Listen to how they describe themselves and use the same language. This works better than memorising a set of rules.

About the Word "Midget"

This needs to be addressed directly, because it is part of this site's name.

The word "midget" is widely considered a slur within the little-person community. Little People of America explicitly opposes its use in their mission materials. Most people of short stature find it offensive, dehumanising, or both. It has a history rooted in the freak-show tradition of the 19th and early 20th centuries, where people of short stature were displayed for entertainment, and that history has not been forgotten by those most affected by it.

So why does this site use the name Midget Singles?

The honest answer is: search behaviour. "Midget dating" and related phrases are among the most common searches typed by people looking for a dating service for little people. Someone who is a little person, or who genuinely wants to date one, may type that phrase into a search engine without any intent to cause harm. Search phrases often lag behind community language by years or decades.

Using the name means the site appears in front of people who are actively looking for exactly this kind of community. The site's content, its community norms, and its editorial line all lead with "little people" and "person of short stature" as the primary terms. The brand name is a practical concession to how people search, not an endorsement of the word.

If you are a little person reading this and that explanation does not sit well with you, that is a completely fair reaction. The alternative would be a site that uses the preferred terms but that far fewer people ever find.

Why Language Matters in Dating Specifically

Dating surfaces vulnerability. Most people, whatever their background, are at their most self-conscious on a first date or when reading a first message. For little people, navigating a world built around average-height assumptions adds an additional layer. A careless phrase from a new match can feel like confirmation that the other person has not thought much about who they are talking to.

It works in reverse too. Someone who clearly knows and uses the preferred terminology signals something important: they have taken the time. That is not a trivial thing in dating. Early trust is built from small signals, and language is one of the clearest signals available.

This does not mean you need to research the full social history of every term before you send a message. It means being attentive, using what you hear, and not defaulting to the word most associated with mockery.

Practical Guidance for Dating Conversations

A few principles that are worth applying:

  • Use "little person" or "person of short stature" as your default. These are the least likely to cause offence and the most widely accepted.
  • Follow the individual's own language. If someone describes themselves as a dwarf, you can use that word. If they use "short stature", do the same.
  • Do not make terminology the centre of the conversation. Asking "what word do you prefer?" on a first date can feel performative. Simply pay attention and adapt.
  • Avoid the word "midget" as a descriptive term for a person. The site name is a necessary concession to search reality. Using it as an adjective or term of address is a different matter entirely.
  • Do not over-correct into awkward circumlocutions. "You know, person of stature-related differences" is no better than the wrong word. Simple, direct language done with care is enough.

A Note on Variation Within the Community

One thing worth knowing: the little-person community is not a monolith. Preferences around terminology, disclosure, dating preferences, and identity vary enormously between individuals. Some people are very open about their condition and its cause; others prefer not to discuss it at all. Some see short stature as a core part of their identity; others consider it incidental to who they are.

This means there is no single set of rules that will work for every interaction. What there is: a default posture of attentiveness, a willingness to adjust, and a genuine interest in the person you are talking to rather than the category they belong to.

That is, in the end, what good dating looks like regardless of height.

Related Reading

If you found this useful, you may also want to read about what to expect when you are dating a little person for the first time, or our guide on staying safe when online dating as a short single. And if you are wondering whether this platform is the right fit, our piece on the best dating apps for little people sets out how different options compare.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the correct term: little person, dwarf or person of short stature?

There is no single universally correct term. Many people prefer "little person" or "person of short stature". "Dwarf" is medically accurate and used by some advocacy groups, including Little People of America, but others find it clinical. The safest approach is to follow the individual's own preference.

Is the word midget offensive?

The word "midget" is widely considered a slur within the little-person community and is rejected by most major advocacy organisations including Little People of America. This site's name exists because it reflects how many people search online, not because the word is preferred or endorsed. It is not used as a descriptive term for any person anywhere on this platform.

Should I ask someone what term they prefer?

Asking is always a reasonable approach, but there is no obligation to make language the first topic of a conversation. Simply listening to how a person describes themselves and using the same language is usually enough, and often less awkward than a direct question.

Does language really affect dating outcomes?

Yes, in a practical sense. Using a term someone finds offensive early in a conversation can signal a lack of care or awareness. Conversely, using neutral, respectful language helps build trust and shows you have put thought into the interaction. Small signals matter early in dating.

What does "short stature" mean medically?

Short stature is a broad medical term for height significantly below average for age and sex, generally below the third percentile or below 4 ft 10 in (147 cm) for adults. Dwarfism is a specific subset caused by medical conditions such as achondroplasia. Not everyone of short stature has dwarfism, and not everyone with dwarfism identifies as a little person.