Puerile - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Puerile means childish or immature, often in a way that is silly or trivial. It describes behavior, remarks, or attitudes that lack seriousness or adult maturity.
Definition:
Childishly silly or immature in behavior or attitude.
Synonyms:
Juvenile, childish, immature, infantile, frivolous
Part of Speech:
Adjective
Antonyms:
Mature, sophisticated, adult
Common Collocations:
Puerile humor, puerile behavior, puerile remarks, puerile attitude
Derivatives:
Puerility, puerileness
Usage Tips:
Use "puerile" to describe actions or remarks that seem foolishly juvenile for an adult.
Common Phrases:
Puerile jokes, puerile antics, puerile display
Etymology:
From Latin "puerilis," meaning "childish," derived from "puer" (boy).
Examples:
- 1. His puerile pranks annoyed the entire class during the lecture.
- 2. She dismissed his argument as puerile and unworthy of serious discussion.
- 3. The movie's humor was too puerile for the sophisticated audience.
- 4. Stop acting in such a puerile manner—this is a professional setting!
- 5. Their puerile giggling disrupted the solemn ceremony entirely.