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    Pitiful

    /ˈpɪtɪfəl/

    Meaning & Definition

    adjective
    Deserving or arousing pity; sad, pathetic.
    The abandoned puppy looked so pitiful that everyone passed by felt compelled to help.
    Inferior or inadequate; worthy of scorn.
    His pitiful attempt at humor fell flat, leaving the audience in silence.
    Lamentably inadequate or insufficient.
    The pitiful results of his effort did not meet the standards he had set for himself.

    Etymology

    From Middle English pitifull, from Old French pitéf (same meaning), from Latin pietas 'piety, compassion'.

    Common Phrases and Expressions

    pitiful excuse:
    An inadequate or feeble attempt to justify something.
    pitifully small:
    Describing something that is insignificantly small.
    a pitiful state:
    Indicating a situation that evokes sympathy due to its poor condition.

    Related Words

    pity
    The feeling of sorrow and compassion for someone else's misfortune.
    mercy
    Compassion or forgiveness shown towards someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm.
    commiserate
    To express or feel sympathy or pity.

    Slang Meanings

    Sad or pathetic situation.
    Watching him play alone was just pitiful.
    Feeling sorry for someone in a mocking manner.
    She looked at his attempts to cook and said, 'How pitiful!'.