Paltry

Worth very little; meager or petty.

adjective

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Imagine This

When poultry is not kept refrigerated, it will turn bad and become worthless.

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Sounds Like

PAWL-tree

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Looks Like

Looks like poultry in spelling; shares most of the same letters

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Remember This

Paltry describes something small or inadequate in amount or quality (e.g., a paltry sum or paltry excuses).

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Other Forms

paltrinessnoun

paltrieradjective

paltriestadjective

paltrilyadverb

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Connect With

meager, scant, trifling, negligible, insignificant

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Note

Paltry is used for things that are disappointingly small or insufficient. Do not confuse with similar-sounding words or with 'poultry' (the birds).

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Study Deeper

Examples

The charity collected only a paltry amount.
Her paltry excuses could not justify the delay.

Synonyms

meagerinsignificanttriflingpiddlingmeasly

Antonyms

substantialconsiderableadequate

Etymology

From Middle English paltrie, from Old French paltrier (to bargain; trifling). The exact origin is uncertain, but the sense evolved to describe something of little value or importance.

Mnemonic

PALTRY: PAL (friend) + TRY — a friend's attempt that yields only a small amount; a paltry effort.

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Redress

verb

To set right a wrong; to remedy or compensate for damage or grievance.

Assuage

verb

To make something less severe or painful; to relieve or ease (emotions, pain, hunger, or discomfort).

Unanimous

adjective

Showing complete agreement among all members; agreed upon by everyone involved.

Similar Words

Related words and words with the same part of speech.

Meager

adjective

Deficient in quantity or quality; not enough; lacking in fullness or richness.

Negligible

adjective

So small or unimportant as to be not worth considering; nearly negligible.

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adjective

Difficult to understand; obscure or highly complex.

Accidental

adjective

Happening by chance or without deliberate planning; not intended. In music, it is also a noun for a symbol that temporarily alters a pitch.

Acerbic

adjective

Sharp or biting in tone or taste; caustic or mordant in manner.

Acquiescent

adjective

Ready to agree or approve without protest; compliant.

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