Basic Details
Word: Puny
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Very small and weak, not physically powerful.
Synonyms: Tiny, minuscule, weak
Antonyms: Strong, mighty, large
Idioms and Phrases
- Puny in stature: Referring to someone who is physically small or weak. Example: "Despite being puny in stature, he was a quick thinker and won the game."
- Puny effort: A significant attempt that was very weak or lacking. Example: "Her puny effort to lift the heavy box made everyone laugh."
Usage Examples
Example 1: The puny kitten struggled to keep up with its much larger siblings.
Example 2: Although he was puny compared to the other players, he showed great skills on the football field.
Example 3: The garden was filled with puny flowers this year, but they still brought joy to everyone who saw them.
Fun Fact
Did you know that the word "puny" originated from the early 19th century in the United Kingdom, initially used to describe poorly built animals or people? It has since evolved to describe anything small and weak.
Famous Quote
"It is not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog." Mark Twain
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "puny" mean?
a) Very big and strong
b) Very small and weak
c) Extremely fast
d) Beautiful and charming
Answer: b) Very small and weak
2. Which of these is a synonym of "puny"?
a) Large
b) Tiny
c) Powerful
d) Energetic
Answer: b) Tiny
3. Which of these is an antonym of "puny"?
a) Small
b) Weak
c) Mighty
d) Tiny
Answer: c) Mighty
4. Which sentence uses "puny" correctly?
a) The puny ant went on a grand adventure.
b) The puny elephant swam across the river.
c) The puny child lifted the heavy weights with ease.
d) The puny dog barked at the larger dog.
Answer: d) The puny dog barked at the larger dog.
5. What does the idiom "puny effort" mean?
a) A great success
b) A very weak attempt
c) An excellent performance
d) An easy task
Answer: b) A very weak attempt
