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

Examples of petty in a Sentence

a petty argument about grammar My behavior was petty and stupid. I apologize.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Tatum plays Jeffrey Manchester, a veteran tangled haplessly up in good intentions and a life of petty crime. Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 12 Sep. 2025 At first, the women appear to be locked in a petty squabble over Daniel’s attention and affection. Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 10 Sep. 2025 The show is serious about the barely exceptional lives of unremarkable American kids, finding profundity by treating these crossroads in life with care and nuance, not as petty problems. Greta Rainbow, The Atlantic, 10 Sep. 2025 And now, apparently, to carry out petty grievances against his former employer. Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for petty

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Petty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/petty. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.

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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