Basic Details
Word: Paltry
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Very small or worthless; not worth much.
Synonyms: Insignificant, trivial, meagre, scanty
Antonyms: Significant, substantial, plentiful
Idioms and Phrases
- Paltry sum: Refers to a small amount of money that is not enough. Example: "She received a paltry sum for her artwork, despite the effort she put in."
- Don't sell yourself short: To not accept a situation that undervalues you. Example: "He was offered a paltry salary for his skills, but he decided to hold out for a better offer. Dont sell yourself short!"
Usage Examples
Example 1: The organisation provided a paltry amount of funding for the important project, which was disappointing to everyone involved.
Example 2: After working all summer, he was upset to find out that his pay was a paltry 50.
Example 3: The athlete received a paltry number of votes in the competition, which surprised his supporters.
Fun Fact
The word "paltry" comes from the Middle English word "paltre," which means trivial or insignificant. It has been used since the 15th century to describe things that lack worth or value.
Famous Quote
"There is nothing quite so useless as doing with great efficiency something that should not be done at all." Peter F. Drucker
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "paltry" mean?
a) Very large
b) Very small or worthless
c) Extremely valuable
d) Quite famous
Answer: b) Very small or worthless
2. Which of these is a synonym of "paltry"?
a) Grand
b) Insignificant
c) Abundant
d) Thriving
Answer: b) Insignificant
3. What is an antonym of "paltry"?
a) Insignificant
b) Substantial
c) Scanty
d) Meagre
Answer: b) Substantial
4. Which sentence uses "paltry" correctly?
a) He had a paltry amount of food to eat after the long journey.
b) The paltry tree grew taller than all the others.
c) The paltry student won an award for excellence.
d) The paltry race horse won many competitions.
Answer: a) He had a paltry amount of food to eat after the long journey.
5. Which idiom relates to the concept of being insufficient or minimal, similar to "paltry"?
a) Ball is in your court
b) Taking the bull by the horns
c) Paltry sum
d) Hit the nail on the head
Answer: c) Paltry sum
