adj

paltry

POLT-ree

adj

So small in amount or value as to be almost insulting; trivial or worthless.

"He was offered a paltry sum for the antique vase."

"The company gave a paltry apology after the scandal."

How to Use Paltry

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishDescribes an amount, effort, or excuse so small or weak that it feels almost disrespectful.

Common pairings

a paltry sum paltry excuse paltry amount

Word Forms

paltrier comparative, paltriest superlative

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He was offered a _____ sum for the antique vase.

Etymology

From Middle Low German paltrig ("ragged, worthless"), from a root meaning "rag" or "scrap of cloth" — the idea of something as worthless as a torn rag carried over into the modern sense of "trivial" or "insultingly small."