What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
puerile
Example
His puerile jokes were not appreciated by the serious audience. [puerile: adjective]
Example
The argument was dismissed as puerile and irrelevant to the topic at hand. [puerile: adjective]
juvenile
Example
The juvenile delinquent was caught stealing from the store. [juvenile: adjective]
Example
The book's juvenile writing style made it difficult for adults to enjoy. [juvenile: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Juvenile is more commonly used than puerile in everyday language, especially in legal contexts. Puerile is less common and may be considered more formal or literary.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between puerile and juvenile?
Puerile is generally considered more formal or literary than juvenile, which is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
