Definition

The quality of being small, insignificant, or of little value.

Example

The paltriness of the donation surprised everyone at the charity event.

Conversation

Did you see how little food they served at the party last night?

Yeah, it was surprising how much paltriness there was on the table.

I expected a feast, not just a few snacks!

Right? It felt a bit disappointing for such a big event.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Paltriness → It is formed from "paltry" (from Middle English *paltrie*, meaning trivial or worthless) and the suffix "-ness" (meaning the state or quality of). The word "paltriness" refers to the state of being trivial or of little value.

Memory Tip

Think of something that is 'trivial' or 'worthless' — that's what 'paltriness' means, and the '-ness' shows it's a state of being.

Visually Confused Words