What does puerility mean?
Puerility means the behavior or qualities associated with a child when those qualities are considered inappropriate or inferior in an adult. It commonly describes childish reasoning, excessive emotion, petulance, trivial concerns, and attitudes that appear naïve or immature. The word is generally more evaluative and formal than “childishness”: calling something puerile often implies that it is not merely youthful but insufficiently mature. It can refer to conduct, speech, criticism, creative work, or institutions. Because of its dismissive tone, puerility is especially common in formal criticism and argumentative writing rather than neutral description. Its historical roots underscore its meaning: the word ultimately derives from Latin words associated with “boy” and “boyish,” preserving the idea of behavior that belongs to childhood but has been carried inappropriately into adulthood.
nounChildish or immature behavior, especially behavior regarded as silly, petulant, or unsuitable for an adult.
- Childish or immature behavior, especially that is considered trivial, silly, or unworthy of an adult.
"The director dismissed the criticism as an example of intellectual puerility."
"What she dismissed as caution, he dismissed as mere puerility."
"The novel was criticized for its sentimentality and general puerility."
Rare in modern usage; the word is normally used in the singular or as an uncountable noun.
"The novel reduces every difficult moral question to a set of shallow puerilities."
Puerility comes from the Latin for “boy”: to call something puerile is to call it boyish in the fullest, most dismissive sense.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does puerility come from?
Puerility comes from Latin puerilis, meaning “boyish” or “childish,” which was formed from puer, “boy” or “child.” English borrowed the related forms through French, with “puerile” emerging in the 17th century and “puerility” appearing soon afterward. The modern senses continue the original contrast between the behavior associated with boys or children and the expectation of mature conduct.
Related word forms
How puerility is actually used
Usually formal and derogatory. It is used particularly of behavior, attitudes, criticism, literary material, or institutions perceived as immature.
Easily confused with puerility
Puerility is broadly immature or childish behavior, whereas petulance specifically means unreasonable or sulking impatience.