What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
puny
Example
The puny boy struggled to lift the heavy box. [puny: adjective]
Example
The team's puny efforts were no match for their opponents. [puny: noun]
frail
Example
The frail old woman needed assistance walking up the stairs. [frail: adjective]
Example
The fragile vase was too frail to survive the fall. [frail: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Frail is more commonly used than puny in everyday language, especially when describing elderly or sick individuals. Puny is less common and is often used in a more informal or humorous context.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between puny and frail?
Both puny and frail are generally considered informal and are not commonly used in formal writing or speech.
