petty

adjective

pet·​ty ˈpe-tē 

pettier; pettiest

1

: having secondary rank or importance : minor, subordinate

2

: having little or no importance or significance

3

: marked by or reflective of narrow interests and sympathies : small-minded

pettily

ˈpe-tə-lē 

adverb

pettiness

ˈpe-tē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms of petty

• small
• parochial
• narrow
• little

Examples of petty in a Sentence

a petty argument about grammar

My behavior was petty and stupid. I apologize.

Recent Examples on the Web

Again and again, Bass went after Raman in the pettiest, most personal ways. — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026

But to build a web of accusations based on false premises and the manipulation of reality in order to attack the Biennale and a film invited to compete is a petty and unacceptable act. — John Bleasdale, Variety, 19 Aug. 2026

But according to Sheridan, the lack of a 6666 show has nothing to do with Warnermount, Sheridan switching studios, or anything so petty as business. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 19 Aug. 2026

Office buildings and retail corridors emptied out, while San Francisco became emblematic of the challenges facing post-pandemic cities, such as an increase in street homelessness and a surge in petty crime. — Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English pety small, minor, alteration of petit

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing petty

• chief petty officer
• master chief petty officer
• master chief petty officer of the coast guard
• master chief petty officer of the navy
• petty bourgeois
• petty bourgeoisie
• petty cash
• petty larceny
• petty officer
• petty officer first class
• petty officer second class
• petty officer third class
• petty theft
• senior chief petty officer

Rhymes for petty

• betty
• chetty
• jetty
• petit
• sweaty
• yeti
• confetti
• libretti
• spaghetti
• spermaceti

Kids Definition

petty

adjective

pet·​ty ˈpet-ē 

pettier; pettiest

1

: lesser in rank or importance : minor

a petty prince

2

: having little or no importance or meaning

petty details

3

: having or displaying a mean narrow-minded attitude : small-minded

pettily

ˈpet-ᵊl-ē 

adverb

pettiness

ˈpet-ē-nəs 

noun

Etymology

Middle English pety "small, minor," an altered form of petit (same meaning), from early French petit "small"

Legal Definition

petty

adjective

pet·​ty ˈpe-tē 

: relatively minor in degree

a petty offense punishable by not more than six months in prison

compare grand

Biographical Definition

Petty

biographical name

Pet·​ty ˈpe-tē 

Sir William 1623–1687 English political economist