adjective
-
exhibiting silliness; immature; trivial
-
of or characteristic of a child
Other Word Forms
- nonpuerile adjective
- nonpuerilely adverb
- puerilely adverb
- puerility noun
Etymology
Origin of puerile
1650–60; < Latin puerīlis boyish, equivalent to puer boy + -īlis -ile
Explanation
Some people like their movies to have sophisticated humor and others prefer the more puerile humor of pratfalls or jokes about smelly underwear, inappropriate belching, and passing gas. Although the adjective, puerile can be used to describe anything related to childhood, more often than not, it is used in a derisive manner to comment on the immaturity, silliness, or juvenile nature of something or someone. So if you hear someone talk about puerile toys, they may merely be remarking on the toys of childhood, but it is more likely they are discussing whoopee cushions, fake dog poo, and the like.
Vocabulary lists containing puerile
The SAT: Words to Capture Tone, List 2
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300 Most Difficult "SAT" Words
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The New SAT: Words to Capture Tone
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Prosecutor Hanna Llewellyn-Waters KC said the "puerile contempt" shown by Al-Danasurt, the "predatory nature" of Alshafe, and Ahmadi's selfish entitlement "created the perfect storm that night".
From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026
American artist Daniel Arsham has always flirted with the puerile.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026
The early days were defined by blistering, puerile songs, many of which did not have choruses — a style that remains their trademark.
From New York Times • Jun. 18, 2024
He suggests it may take something shattering and awful to bring the country together and snap its fractious politicians out of their puerile antics and self-centered scuffling.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 28, 2023
They were reckless, puerile, congenial, naive, presumptuous, deferential and rambunctious.
From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
