puny

UK: /ˈpjuːni/ US: /ˈpjuni/ ,(pyo̅o̅′nē)

Inflections of 'puny' (adj):

punier

adj comparative

puniest

adj superlative

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

pu•ny /ˈpyuni/   adj., -ni•er, -ni•est. 

1. of less than normal size and strength;
   weak:
   a puny body.
2. unimportant;
   insignificant:
   a puny threat.

pu•ni•ness, n. [uncountable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

pu•ny  (pyo̅o̅′nē), adj., -ni•er, -ni•est. 

1. of less than normal size and strength;
   weak.
2. unimportant;
   insignificant;
   petty or minor:
   a puny excuse.
3. [Obs.] puisne.

• spelling, spelled variant of puisne 1540–50

pu′ni•ly, adv. 
pu′ni•ness, n. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

puny / ˈpjuːnɪ/ adjective ( -nier, -niest)

1. having a small physique or weakly constitution
2. paltry; insignificant

Etymology: 16th Century: from Old French puisne puisne

ˈpuniness noun