This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
puerile
[ pyoo-er-il, -uh-rahyl, pyoor-il, -ahyl ]
/ ˈpyu ər ɪl, -əˌraɪl, ˈpyʊər ɪl, -aɪl /
Save This Word!
This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
adjective
of or relating to a child or to childhood.
childishly foolish; immature or trivial: a puerile piece of writing.
OTHER WORDS FOR puerile
QUIZ
WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?
Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!
Question 1 of 7
Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.
Origin of puerile
OTHER WORDS FROM puerile
pu·er·ile·ly, adverbnon·pu·er·ile, adjectivenon·pu·er·ile·ly, adverbWords nearby puerile
pudu, Puducherry, Puebla, pueblo, Pueblos, puerile, puerilism, puerility, puerpera, puerperal, puerperal fever
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use puerile in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for puerile
puerile
/ (ˈpjʊəraɪl) /
adjective
exhibiting silliness; immature; trivial
of or characteristic of a child
Derived forms of puerile
puerilely, adverbpuerility (pjʊəˈrɪlɪtɪ), nounWord Origin for puerile
C17: from Latin puerīlis childish, from puer a boy
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012