puerile
UK: ˈpjʊəraɪl | US: ˈpjʊrəl
adj. childish; immature
adj. trivial or silly
puerile = puer<child> + ile<adjective suffix>
- puer (from Latin puer): means "child" or "boy."
- ile (from Latin -ilis): a suffix forming adjectives, often implying "pertaining to" or "characteristic of."
Etymology Origin:
The word puerile traces back to Latin puerilis, derived from puer (child). It entered English in the late 16th century, originally describing qualities associated with childhood. Over time, it acquired a pejorative sense, emphasizing immaturity or triviality. The suffix -ile is common in Latin-derived adjectives (e.g., juvenile, fragile), reinforcing the word’s descriptive nature.
His puerile jokes annoyed the serious audience.
The debate devolved into puerile name-calling.
She dismissed his argument as puerile and uninformed.
The film’s humor was deliberately puerile to appeal to teenagers.
Despite his age, he often displayed puerile behavior.