Pronunciation: [pjˈuːɹa͡ɪl] (IPA) 
The word "puerile" is spelled as /ˈpjʊərəl/ in IPA phonetic transcription. This word means childish or immature, appropriate specifically for behavior or actions that are considered immature for someone's age. The "p" is pronounced as "p," the "u" as "yoo," and the "e" as "uh." The "r" is pronounced as "r," and the final "e" is silent. The word comes from the Latin "puerilis," which means boyish, young, or childish.
Puerile is an adjective that describes something or someone as childish, immature, or juvenile. The term is used to emphasize a lack of intellectual sophistication or seriousness, suggesting behavior or traits characteristic of a young child.
When applied to a person, puerile refers to someone who displays immaturity, particularly in their thoughts, actions, or judgment. It implies a lack of maturity or wisdom, often associated with behaviors typically seen in children or adolescents. For instance, a puerile individual may exhibit a tendency to make inappropriate jokes, exhibit extreme emotions, or respond impulsively in situations that demand a more mature approach.
Similarly, when describing ideas, arguments, or expressions, puerile implies a lack of substance, depth, or complexity. It signifies a shallow nature or simplistic understanding, devoid of intellectual maturity or sophistication. Puerile ideas or arguments often lack logical reasoning, critical thinking, or sound evidence, offering oversimplified or naive perspectives.
In summary, puerile is a term used to characterize behavior, people, or ideas as being childish, immature, and lacking in sophistication or maturity. By highlighting a lack of intellectual depth, it suggests a sense of triviality or insignificance in the context being discussed.
Relating to a child, childish, childlike.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
• Childish.
• Pert. to a boy; childish; trifling; in med., applied to an unnatural and morbid kind of breathing.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "puerile" originated from the Latin word "puerilis", which is derived from "puer", meaning "boy" or "child". The suffix "-ilis" denotes a quality or state, thus "puerilis" refers to something characteristic of or typical of a boy or a child. Over time, the term evolved in English to have a negative connotation, describing behavior or qualities that are childish, immature, or foolish.
