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Childishly silly; trivial or immature.
synonyms:juvenilesilly
The word 'puerile' comes from the Latin 'puerilis', which means 'of a boy' or 'childish', derived from 'puer' meaning 'boy'.
Puerile is typically used in literary or formal contexts to describe behavior or actions that are immature or lacking in seriousness.
While not common in everyday conversation, 'puerile' is often used in literary discussions, critiques, and verbose writing.
The film was criticized for its puerile humor, which failed to resonate with adult audiences.
Despite his age, his puerile antics during the meeting were both amusing and exasperating.
She dismissed his puerile remarks about the topic, emphasizing the need for a more serious discussion.
The word 'puerile' is a colorful term that adds flair to descriptions of immaturity. With roots in Latin, it paints a vivid picture of childlike behavior, often with a hint of disapproval. While it may not be a staple in everyday vocabulary, it finds its home in critiques of literature, film, and even adult behavior that feels overly juvenile. So next time you encounter someone acting a bit too silly, you might just describe them as exhibiting puerile tendencies!