puerility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "puerility" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe childishness or a lack of maturity in behavior or thought. Example: "His constant need for attention and his immature jokes revealed a level of puerility that was unexpected in someone his age."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Comedy

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

"Despite their pronouncements of loyalty to Clarkson, Hammond and May have taken the trouble not to resign in protest at his sacking…[and] have each been offered £1m a year to keep the Top Gear flame of inspired puerility alive".

Independent

Well-intentioned seminars, conducted as part of the FA's anti-discrimination policy, are undermined by football's thoughtless cruelty and institutionalised puerility.

Independent

With an unselfconscious sense of fun and an endless capacity to bury their pride and egos under puerility and mild homoeroticism, this all-male troupe create, among other things, a depraved Sleeping Beauty and a Psycho in which an apologetic gimp (in full regalia) meekly intrudes on Janet Leigh's shower scene.

Independent

Seth Rogen is unceasingly likable as Ben, and the puerility of the tale, which would otherwise pall for anyone over the mental age of fifteen, is somehow redeemed by his tolerant sweetness, yet I prefer his supporting turn in "The 40-Year-Old Virgin," where he fired barbs from the fringes of the action, to his prominence here.

The New Yorker

But the work itself turns out to be flat and foolish, bereft of Borat's good cheer: wholly unsuitable for children, yet propelled by a nagging puerility that will appeal only to those in the vortex of puberty, or to adults who have failed to progress beyond it.

The New Yorker

Can puerility as we know it — horny, reckless, and transgressive — be attributed to a people for whom early parenthood and virtuosity in survival skills were, as Guthrie acknowledges, imperative?

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Who knows if the reunion, arriving years after a clutch of comedies that liberally ripped off the puerility-plus format, can discover new depths to sink to?

The Guardian

He reminded the pope that, like the leaders of the schools with their commentaries and scholarly summaries, he could have covered quires of vellum with "puerilities" and vain speculations.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Critics were still prone to attack its "puerilities", but their voices were drowned by the clamour of popular interest and approval.

The Guardian - Books

Damrosch relishes the Journal, less embarrassed than previous Swift biographers by its puerilities, finding its "gangridge" "almost Joycean".

The Guardian - Books

Let us, by the way, open a book on the puerilities to follow on questions of hair style.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "puerility" to describe situations where the lack of maturity or childish behavior is particularly striking or inappropriate. It adds a slightly more formal and critical tone than simply saying "childishness".

Common error

Avoid confusing "puerility", which means childishness or immaturity, with "purity", which means freedom from contamination or moral fault. They have completely different meanings and contexts.

Linguistic Context

The word "puerility" functions as a noun, denoting the state, quality, or condition of being childish or puerile. Ludwig examples show it often refers to undesirable immaturity in behavior or content.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Books

12%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "puerility" describes the state of being childish or immature, often used critically to highlight inappropriate silliness or lack of seriousness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly found in news, media, and literary contexts. While synonyms like "childishness" and "immaturity" exist, "puerility" carries a more formal and judgmental tone. When writing, be mindful to use "puerility" when specifically addressing undesirable immaturity, and avoid confusing it with similar-sounding words like "purity". This word choice can elevate the impact of your writing and provide greater clarity. Its function, according to Ludwig, is to criticize or negatively evaluate something for being immature and silly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lack of maturity

Directly states the absence of maturity without specific behavioral references.

childish behavior

Emphasizes the actions and conduct associated with immaturity.

immature conduct

Highlights the lack of maturity in one's behavior.

juvenile antics

Focuses on playful or mischievous behavior typical of young people.

infantile actions

Stresses the extreme immaturity, likening it to that of an infant.

adolescent silliness

Highlights the foolishness typical of adolescents.

callow immaturity

Underscores the rawness and inexperience associated with immaturity.

boyish foolishness

Specifically references the foolishness associated with boys or young men.

unsophisticated behavior

Highlights a lack of refinement and worldliness.

childlike naivety

Focuses on innocence and simplicity often associated with children, which can sometimes be perceived as immature.

FAQs

How can I use "puerility" in a sentence?

You can use "puerility" to describe the state or quality of being childish. For example: "The film's humor relied heavily on "puerility", which many found tiresome."

What words are similar to "puerility"?

Similar words include "childishness", "immaturity", and "juvenility". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "puerility" a formal or informal word?

"Puerility" is a somewhat formal word. In more casual contexts, "childishness" or "immaturity" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "puerility" and "childishness"?

"Puerility" and "childishness" are very similar, but "puerility" often carries a stronger connotation of being foolish or silly in a way that is inappropriate for the situation. Childishness is a more neutral term.