paltry Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective satellite not worth considering
    negligible; trifling.
    • he considered the prize too paltry for the lives it must cost
    • piffling efforts
    • a trifling matter
  2. adjective satellite contemptibly small in amount
    miserable; measly.
    • a measly tip
    • the company donated a miserable $100 for flood relief
    • a paltry wage
    • almost depleted his miserable store of dried beans

WordNet

Pal"try adjective
Etymology
Cf. Prov. E. paltry refuse, rubbish, LG. paltering ragged, palte, palter, a rag, a tatter, Dan. pialt, Sw. palta, pl. paltor.
Wordforms
comparative Paltrier ; superlative Paltriest
Definitions
  1. Mean; vile; worthless; despicable; contemptible; pitiful; trifling; as, a paltry excuse; paltry gold. Cowper.
    The paltry prize is hardly worth the cost. Byron.
    Syn. -- See Contemptible.

Webster 1913