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

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

Over those years, the net number of available hydrogen stations increased by a paltry two.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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