petty

adjective

pet·​ty ˈpe-tē How to pronounce petty (audio)
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 adverb
pettiness noun

Example Sentences

a petty argument about grammar My behavior was petty and stupid. I apologize.
Recent Examples on the Web While speaking to reporters after the event at an evangelical church outside Des Moines, the Florida governor leveled a series of shots at his rival, former President Donald Trump, painting him as selfish, unprincipled and petty. Aj Willingham, CNN, 31 May 2023 Once licensed, stores would charge sales tax plus a 10% cannabis tax. Minnesotans who have been convicted of misdemeanor or petty misdemeanor possession would also get their records automatically expunged. Trisha Ahmed, Fortune, 30 May 2023 Jordan was also a very petty and vindictive player who constantly criticized his teammates throughout his career. oregonlive, 27 May 2023 When Kendall responds, dissociating from his petty vulgarity and delivering a stirringly grandiose defense of greed and gluttony, the crowd cheers. Phillip Maciak, The New Republic, 26 May 2023 The broad uprising against him comes not from a sense of noble resistance against a petty, vindictive, unstable leader, but rather a chance to rise above everyone else. Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 23 May 2023 They are seen as complicit in their decline, petty criminals and a public nuisance. Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2023 But while shocking, the deadly dispute between neighbors was by no means unique in recent weeks, when guns have been used to end petty grievances: Knocking on a stranger’s door. Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2023 But what do petty money worries mean to Apple, which agreed to ante up for the version Scorsese and DiCaprio are determined to make? Rebecca Keegan, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Mar. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'petty.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English pety small, minor, alteration of petit

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of petty was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near petty

Cite this Entry

“Petty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/petty. Accessed 7 Jun. 2023.

Kids Definition

petty

adjective
pet·​ty ˈpet-ē How to pronounce petty (audio)
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 adverb
pettiness 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 How to pronounce petty (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce Petty (audio)
Sir William 1623–1687 English political economist

More from Merriam-Webster on petty

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