puerile
/ˈpjʊə.ɹaɪl/
Group 1Difficulty 2/3
Definition
- (adjective)
- Childishly silly and trivial GRE
Example in Context
The debate descended into puerile name-calling, undermining what had been a substantive discussion of trade policy.
Synonyms
childishimmaturejuvenile
Etymology
Childish or immature behavior.
- puer (Latin) — child
Memory Aid
🏝️Sounds like “pure isle”
On a PURE ISLE, kids throw tantrums over sandcastles — so PUERILE!
Visual Association
👶A group of adults acting like children, building sandcastles and arguing over whose is better.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “puerile” mean on the GRE?
puerile (adjective) means “Childishly silly and trivial”. The debate descended into puerile name-calling, undermining what had been a substantive discussion of trade policy.
How to remember “puerile” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “puerile” sounds like “pure isle”. On a PURE ISLE, kids throw tantrums over sandcastles — so PUERILE!
What are synonyms for “puerile”?
Common synonyms: childish, immature, juvenile.