Puny: meaning, definitions and examples

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puny

 

[ หˆpjuหni ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

describing someone or something

small and weak; not impressive or effective

Synonyms

feeble, insignificant, small, weak.

Examples of usage

  • His puny efforts were no match for the powerful opponent.
  • She made a puny attempt to lift the heavy box.
  • Don't underestimate him just because of his puny appearance.
Context #2 | Adjective

describing a quantity or amount

small in amount or size; inadequate

Synonyms

inadequate, insufficient, meager, small.

Examples of usage

  • The puny paycheck was not enough to cover the rent.
  • The puny portion of food left him hungry.
  • He had a puny collection of stamps compared to his friend's.

Translations

Translations of the word "puny" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น fraco

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคฆเฅเคฐเฅเคฌเคฒ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช schwach

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ lemah

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ัะปะฐะฑะบะธะน

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ sล‚aby

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๅผฑใ„ (ใ‚ˆใ‚ใ„)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท faible

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ dรฉbil

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท zayฤฑf

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์•ฝํ•œ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุถุนูŠู

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ slabรฝ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ slabรฝ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅผฑๅฐ็š„ (ruรฒxiวŽo de)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ ลกibek

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ veikur

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ำ™ะปัั–ะท

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒกแƒฃแƒกแƒขแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ zษ™if

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ dรฉbil

Etymology

The word 'puny' originated from the Middle English word 'punie' which meant 'weak' or 'feeble'. It has been used in English since the 15th century to describe something small, weak, or inadequate. Over time, 'puny' has become a commonly used adjective to convey the idea of insignificance or lack of strength.

See also: pun, punish.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #21,566, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.