petite
Americanadjective
-
relating to or being a woman who is short and has a small, trim figure; diminutive: The sash accentuates her petite waist.
She is a petite brunette.
The sash accentuates her petite waist.
-
I usually buy frozen petite peas.
Traveling by air with your petite pooch or kitty has never been easier!
noun
-
a category of clothing sized for women or girls of less than average height.
-
a garment in such a size.
The petites are on that rack.
-
a woman or girl who wears clothing of such a size.
adjective
Other Word Forms
- petiteness noun
Etymology
Origin of petite
First recorded in 1760–70; from French; feminine of petit
Explanation
If something is petite, it's tiny. Your mom might be so petite that she needs to sit on a telephone book when she drives the car. The adjective petite is used to describe a small woman. When you call someone petite, it's usually meant as a compliment — implying that she is dainty and adorable. Many clothing stores offer petite sizes for women who are short. The word petite is the feminine form of little in French, and sometime in the 1700s it became used frequently in English literature to describe those who are small in stature.
Vocabulary lists containing petite
It's the Little Things: Synonyms for "Small"
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The Help
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Warriors Don't Cry (Abridged)
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Skip the petite rounded accent tables and give me a square-edged desk with a built-in power outlet.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026
The privacy policy it puts forth does have the benefit of transparency, but ultimately, it’s just a list of what Avast collects, with only a petite section that lists what it doesn’t collect.
From Salon • Mar. 21, 2026
“Definitely doesn’t count,” wrote another, a petite woman who said she lifts up to 50 pounds.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 27, 2026
But despite loving the petite coupe, she wouldn't recommend it as a daily runaround.
From BBC • Jan. 20, 2026
“The principal’s office is this way,” whispered a petite woman with dark hair and glasses.
From "Warriors Don't Cry: A Searing Memoir of the Battle to Integrate Little Rock's Central High" by Melba Pattillo Beals
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
