adjective
Making you feel sorry for someone because they are suffering or in a very poor condition.
The injured dog looked pitiful.
It was a pitiful sight.
Common phrases & grammar
a pitiful sight · a pitiful condition
a pitiful + noun
be + pitiful
American English
How to pronounce pitifully
adjectiveB2
PIHdihfuhlee
/ˈpʰɪ.ɾɪ.fə.li/
4 syllables · Stress the first syllable.
Related entry: pitiful
Making you feel sorry for someone because they are suffering or in a very poor condition.
Practice out loudMeanings & examples
adjective
So small, weak, or bad that it is not good enough and deserves criticism.
They offered her a pitiful salary.
The team made a pitiful attempt to win.
Good to know
This meaning shows strong criticism, not sympathy.
Common phrases & grammar
a pitiful excuse · a pitiful amount
a pitiful + noun
be + pitiful