Petty: meaning, definitions and examples

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petty

 

[ หˆpษ›ti ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

behavior

of little importance or small amount; trivial

Synonyms

insignificant, minor, trivial

Examples of usage

  • He's too petty to accept criticism.
  • She refused to pay back the petty cash she had borrowed.
Context #2 | Adjective

mindset

having or showing an excessive concern with unimportant details

Synonyms

fussy, nitpicking, overly concerned

Examples of usage

  • Don't be so petty about the decorations, it's not a big deal.
  • She's always petty about how things are arranged.

Translations

Translations of the word "petty" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น mesquinho

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค›เฅ‹เคŸเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช kleinlich

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ kecil

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะดั€ั–ะฑ'ัะทะบะพะฒะธะน

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ drobiazgowy

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ไบ›็ดฐใช

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท mesquin

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ mezquino

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท รถnemsiz

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์‚ฌ์†Œํ•œ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุชุงูู‡

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ malichernรฝ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ malichernรฝ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅพฎไธ่ถณ้“็š„

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ malenkosten

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ smรกmunasรถm

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ าฑัะฐา›

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒฌแƒ•แƒ แƒ˜แƒšแƒ›แƒแƒœแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ xฤฑrda

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ mezquino

Etymology

The word 'petty' originated from the Middle English word 'petit', which means small or insignificant. Over time, its meaning evolved to include the idea of being overly concerned with trivial matters. The word has been used in English literature for centuries to describe behavior or attitudes that are considered unimportant or small-minded.

See also: pet, petite, pets, petting, petulant.

Word Frequency Rank

At #6,931 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.