# paltry

/ˈpɔɫtɹi/ (US) · /pˈɔːltɹi/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/paltry
Updated: 2026-05-20

## Definition

extremely small or not worth much. You use this to show that something is much less than you expected or needed.

For teachers: extremely small in amount, value, or importance. Often used to express a sense of disappointment or to emphasize a lack of substance.

## Examples

- The reward for winning was paltry.
- The company offered a paltry sum of money for the patent, which the inventor refused to accept.
- The government's response to the crisis was paltry, failing to address the underlying structural issues that had led to the initial collapse in the first place.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.