petty

¹

[ pet-ee ]

adjective

, pet·ti·er, pet·ti·est.

1. of little or no importance or consequence:

   petty grievances.

   Synonyms: slight, inconsiderable, negligible, nugatory

   Antonyms: important

2. of lesser or secondary importance, merit, etc.; minor:

   petty considerations.

3. having or showing narrow ideas, interests, etc.:

   petty minds.

   Synonyms: small

4. mean or ungenerous in small or trifling things:

   a petty person.

   Synonyms: miserly, stingy

   Antonyms: generous

5. showing or caused by meanness of spirit:

   a petty revenge.

6. of secondary rank, especially in relation to others of the same class or kind:

   petty states; a petty tyrant.

Petty

²

[ pet-ee ]

noun

1. Richard, born 1937, U.S. racing-car driver.
2. William, 2nd Earl of Shelburne, 1st Marquis of Lansdowne. William Petty Fitzmaurice Lansdowne.

petty

/ ˈpɛtɪ /

adjective

1. trivial; trifling; inessential

   petty details

2. of a narrow-minded, mean, or small-natured disposition or character

   petty spite

3. minor or subordinate in rank

   petty officialdom

4. law of lesser importance

Derived Forms

• ˈpettily, adverb
• ˈpettiness, noun

Other Words From

• pet·ti·ly adverb
• pet·ti·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of petty¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English peti(t) “small, minor,” from Old French petit, from unattested Gallo-Romance pittīttus, of expressive origin

Word History and Origins

Origin of petty¹

C14: from Old French petit

Synonym Study

Petty, paltry, trifling, trivial apply to something that is so insignificant as to be almost unworthy of notice. Petty implies contemptible insignificance and littleness, inferiority and small worth: petty quarrels. Paltry is applied to something that is beneath one's notice, even despicable: a paltry amount. Something that is trifling is so unimportant and inconsiderable as to be practically negligible: a trifling error. Something that is trivial is slight, insignificant, and even in incongruous contrast to something that is significant or important: a trivial remark; a trivial task.

Example Sentences

I don't think I expected totalitarianism to come in service of one very petty narcissist's wounded ego but it appears that that's what's happening.

From Salon

"The police say they don't have the resources to tackle something like this but it's not just petty crime any more - this is organised theft."

From BBC

Cycling UK wants to change the perception bike theft was a "petty crime" and for police forces to take it more seriously.

From BBC

Painting Laszlo as some mascot for the self-involved petty bourgeoisie would be easy to do if Berry’s performance didn’t smash all expectations.

From Salon

The comedian’s satire pokes fun at conservatives and progressives in era of petty outrage and performative politics.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• frivolous
• lesser
• minor
• narrow-minded