paltry

[ pawl-tree ]

adjective

, pal·tri·er, pal·tri·est.

1. ridiculously or insultingly small:

   a paltry sum.

   Synonyms: insignificant, slight, inconsiderable, minor

   Antonyms: major, important

2. utterly worthless.
3. mean or contemptible:

   a paltry coward.

paltry

/ ˈpɔːltrɪ /

adjective

1. insignificant; meagre
2. worthless or petty

Derived Forms

• ˈpaltrily, adverb
• ˈpaltriness, noun

Other Words From

• paltri·ly adverb
• paltri·ness noun
• un·paltry adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of paltry¹

First recorded in 1560–70; from Low German paltrig “ragged,” equivalent to *palter “rag” ( dialectal German Palter ) + -ig -y ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of paltry¹

C16: from Low Germanic palter, paltrig ragged

Synonym Study

See petty.

Example Sentences

Morrissey said in her filing that while Lifetime has “profited immensely” from the production, Williams herself was paid “a paltry $82,000.”

From Los Angeles Times

The current Dodgers employed five different starters who combined for a paltry 21.1 innings.

From Los Angeles Times

The Bruins stumbled a week ago in their attempt to revive their run game against an average defense, rushing for just 36 yards in 26 carries — a paltry average of 1.4 yards.

From Los Angeles Times

It still took the Trojans a whole half to adjust to a one-dimensional Michigan offense, which managed a paltry 32 yards through the air.

From Los Angeles Times

That isn't good, but it's an improvement over the rare readers, who meet their goals a paltry 3.7% of the time.

From Salon

Related Words

• insignificant
• meager
• measly
• miserable
• pitiful
• puny
• trivial