petite

1 of 3

adjective

pe·​tite pə-ˈtēt 

: having a small trim figure

—usually used of a woman

petiteness noun

petite

2 of 3

noun (1)

: a clothing size for short women

petiteness

3 of 3

noun (2)

pe·​tite·​ness

plural -es

: the quality or state of being petite

Examples of petite in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The spa Done up in shimmering marble mosaics, the hotel’s petite subterranean spa takes its cues from the Turkish baths at London’s Royal Automobile Club and the original YMCA in New York. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

The jeans are available in four washes and in regular and petite sizes 00-18. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 5 Oct. 2026

Noun

When shopping for your own pair, Foster recommends the brand Tecovas for petites because many of its styles have 14- to 15-inch shafts and tend to arrive feeling already broken in. — Malia Griggs, Glamour, 15 Sep. 2026

Finding comfortable pieces that look great and are travel-friendly, however, isn’t always easy—especially for petites. — Kaitlin Gates, Travel + Leisure, 29 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

French, feminine of petit

First Known Use

Adjective

1766, in the meaning defined above

Noun (1)

1926, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing petite

• petite bourgeoisie
• petite sirah
• petite syrah

Rhymes for petite

• amit
• athlete
• backseat
• blackfeet
• broadsheet
• browbeat
• buckwheat
• compete
• compleat
• complete
• conceit
• concrete

Kids Definition

petite

adjective

pe·​tite

pə-ˈtēt

: having a small trim figure