Picayune: meaning, definitions and examples
🪙
picayune
[ ˌpɪk.əˈjun ]
insignificant matter
Picayune refers to something that is trivial or of little importance. It can describe something that is petty or minor in nature. The term is often used to emphasize how unimportant or negligible something is. In conversation, it suggests that the details or issues at hand are not worthy of serious attention.
Synonyms
insignificant, minor, petty, trivial.
Examples of usage
- His picayune concerns about the project were dismissed.
- Don't waste time on picayune matters when the deadline is approaching.
- I find fault with picayune details instead of the bigger picture.
Translations
Translations of the word "picayune" in other languages:
🇵🇹 insignificante
🇮🇳 अधिक महत्व नहीं रखने वाला
🇩🇪 unbedeutend
🇮🇩 remeh
🇺🇦 незначний
🇵🇱 nieistotny
🇯🇵 ささいな
🇫🇷 insignifiant
🇪🇸 insignificante
🇹🇷 önemsiz
🇰🇷 사소한
🇸🇦 تافه
🇨🇿 nepatrný
🇸🇰 nepodstatný
🇨🇳 微不足道的
🇸🇮 nepomemben
🇮🇸 ómerkilegur
🇰🇿 маңызды емес
🇬🇪 უმნიშვნელო
🇦🇿 əhəmiyyətsiz
🇲🇽 insignificante
Etymology
The word 'picayune' originates from the Spanish term 'pica', which referred to a small coin of little value, particularly in the 18th and 19th centuries. It was used in the southern United States to denote any small amount of money or a trivial concern. Over time, the term evolved from a reference to a small monetary value to describe things that are perceived as insignificant or unworthy of consideration. The association with smallness and lack of importance has cemented its usage in modern English as an adjective to characterize issues and subjects that are deemed minor or irrelevant. Its usage peaked in the 20th century but continues to be understood in contemporary contexts.