Paltry

Paltry

Adjective · /ˈpɔːl.tri/

Definition

Small in amount and of little value; worthless; contemptibly small or insignificant; petty and mean; not worth consideration — a paltry sum, a paltry excuse, paltry compensation.

Origin

From Low German paltrig or Middle Low German palterig (ragged, shabby) — from palte (rag, tatter, a piece of ragged cloth), of uncertain further etymology. Paltry appearing in English from the mid-sixteenth century with the sense of ragged, worthless, or of no value — the physical image of a torn rag extending to anything of contemptibly low quality or amount. The word carrying a dismissive or contemptuous register that mere small does not capture.