paltrier; paltriest
2
: mean, despicable
a paltry trick
3
: trivial
a paltry excuse
they in their greatness don't have to bother with such paltry restrictions—
Vanessa Feltz
Vanessa Feltz
paltriness
noun
Did you know?
Before "paltry" was an adjective, it was a noun meaning "trash." That now obsolete noun in turn came from "palt" or "pelt," dialect terms meaning "a piece of coarse cloth," or broadly, "trash." The adjective "paltry" first meant "trashy," but currently has a number of senses, all generally meaning "no good." A "paltry house" might be run-down and unfit for occupancy; a "paltry trick" is a trick that is low-down and dirty; a "paltry excuse" is a trivial one; and a "paltry sum" is small and insufficient.
Examples of paltry in a Sentence
a paltry, underhanded scheme to get someone fired
the hotel's shabby, outdated exercise room was its paltry attempt at a health spa
Recent Examples on the Web
Rather than lottery riches, the check is for a paltry $700.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
Most of their engine sizes were back in the 300 cubic inch range, and even the 454 V8 still available in the Chevelle was rated at a paltry 235 horsepower.
—Karl Brauer, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
The Englishman has managed five shots in the last two games for a paltry 0.3 xG combined.
—Brett Koremenos, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
Also, the state mandates free and reduced fares of $150 million annually but provides a paltry reimbursement of $20 million.
—Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for paltry
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
Most of their engine sizes were back in the 300 cubic inch range, and even the 454 V8 still available in the Chevelle was rated at a paltry 235 horsepower.
—Karl Brauer, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
The Englishman has managed five shots in the last two games for a paltry 0.3 xG combined.
—Brett Koremenos, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
Also, the state mandates free and reduced fares of $150 million annually but provides a paltry reimbursement of $20 million.
—Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for paltry
Cite this Entry
“Paltry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paltry. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
paltry
adjective
pal·try
ˈpȯl-trē 
paltrier; paltriest
1
: petty sense 3, mean
a paltry trick
2
: trivial sense 2, worthless
a paltry sum
paltriness
noun
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share