paltry

/ˈpɔːltri/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈpɔːltri/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈpȯl-trē/ (ame, mw)

paltry — adjective

  • paltrypositive
  • paltriercomparative
  • paltriestsuperlative

1. (used of a sum, payment, or quantity) so small that the speaker feels it is unfa

1.形容詞C1
釋義

(used of a sum, payment, or quantity) so small that the speaker feels it is unfair, mean, or insulting.

例句

After thirty years on the line, Marcus retired on a paltry pension of $480 a month.

paltry + noun (pension); shows perceived unfairness

The charity raised a paltry $300 for the hospital, far less than last year's total.

paltry + sum of money; comparison sharpens the inadequacy

同義詞
  • meager

    neutral-to-formal; describes scarcity without the strong contempt of 'paltry'.

  • measly

    informal version of 'paltry'; also implies the amount is insultingly small.

  • derisory

    formal British; an offer or sum so small it deserves to be laughed at.

  • negligible

    purely about size — too small to matter — without the emotional sting.

反義詞
  • generous

    describes amounts felt to be larger than expected.

  • substantial

    neutral; large enough to be significant.

  • handsome

    of a payment or sum, pleasingly large.

文法句型

paltry + noun (sum/amount/wage/fee)

用法筆記

Almost always sits directly in front of the noun it modifies, and carries a clear note of complaint or contempt. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense focuses on quantity (money, time, numbers); sense 2 focuses on quality or worth.

常見錯誤

❌The salary was paltry but the work was great.
✅The salary was a paltry $25,000, but the work was great.
💡'paltry' is most natural in front of a noun, especially with a specific number that drives home how small the amount is.
❌I have paltry money in my wallet.
✅I have a paltry ten dollars in my wallet.
💡pair 'paltry' with a countable amount, not with the bare noun 'money'.

2. so weak, poor, or unimpressive that it deserves to be brushed aside; typically s

2.形容詞C1
釋義

so weak, poor, or unimpressive that it deserves to be brushed aside; typically said of an excuse, effort, gift, or argument.

例句

Sarah dismissed her paltry excuse for missing her birthday dinner with a cold stare.

paltry + excuse; shows judgment of low worth

The defense lawyer made a paltry attempt to challenge the witness, and the jury noticed.

paltry + attempt/effort

同義詞
  • feeble

    weak in force or conviction, especially of an excuse or attempt.

  • trifling

    formal; too small or unimportant to take seriously.

  • pitiful

    carries a note of pity as well as contempt; the effort is so weak it is almost sad.

  • lame

    informal; mostly used of excuses and weak attempts.

反義詞
  • impressive

    of a quality or effort that earns respect.

  • worthy

    deserving of attention or praise.

  • considerable

    of effort or value, large enough to matter.

文法句型

paltry + noun (excuse/effort/attempt)

用法筆記

Object is usually something the speaker expected to be more impressive: an excuse, effort, gift, attempt, or piece of work. Distinguish from sense 1: here the sting is about quality, not the size of a number.

常見錯誤

❌The painting itself is paltry.
✅The gallery's whole collection felt like a paltry display next to the National Museum.
💡the word fits things judged by effort, attempt, or presentation, not standalone art objects.
❌He gave me a paltry, beautiful card.
✅He gave me a paltry card with just his name scrawled inside.
💡'paltry' is negative; it does not mix with positive descriptions of the same item.