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Pettiness: meaning, definitions and examples

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pettiness

 

[ หˆpษ›tiหŒnษชs ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

in behavior

Petty behavior is characterized by an undue concern for trivial matters, often resulting in small, spiteful actions.

Synonyms

small-mindedness, spitefulness, vindictiveness

Examples of usage

  • Her pettiness was evident in the way she refused to speak to her coworker over a minor disagreement.
  • I can't stand the pettiness of their constant bickering over insignificant things.
Context #2 | Noun

in character

Pettiness can also refer to a lack of generosity or magnanimity, where someone is overly concerned with minor details and unwilling to overlook small mistakes or faults.

Synonyms

grudgingness, meanness, narrow-mindedness

Examples of usage

  • His pettiness prevented him from forgiving her for a simple oversight.
  • The manager's pettiness was evident in the way he nitpicked every minor error made by his employees.

Translations

Translations of the word "pettiness" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น mesquinhez

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค›เฅ‹เคŸเฅ€ เคธเฅ‹เคš

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Kleinlichkeit

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ kecil hati

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะดั€ั–ะฑ'ัะทะบะพะฒั–ัั‚ัŒ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ maล‚ostkowoล›ฤ‡

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๅฐใ•ใ•

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท mesquinerie

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ mezquindad

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท kรผรงรผklรผk

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์†Œ์ธ๋ฐฐ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุตุบุฑ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ malichernost

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ malichernosลฅ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅฐๆฐ”

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ majhnost

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ smรกmunur

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะบั–ัˆะบะตะฝั‚ะฐะนะปั‹า›

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒžแƒแƒขแƒแƒ แƒ แƒแƒ–แƒ แƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ kiรงiklik

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ mezquindad

Etymology

The word 'pettiness' originated from the Middle English word 'pete' meaning 'small' or 'insignificant'. Over time, it evolved to describe behavior or character traits that are marked by a focus on trivial matters and a lack of generosity. The concept of pettiness has been observed across various cultures and historical periods, often associated with negative qualities such as spitefulness and narrow-mindedness.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #30,343 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.