pettier; pettiest
1
a
: not very important or serious
Let's not waste time arguing over petty [=trivial] details.
petty [=minor] crimes
a petty official [=an official who is not important and has little power]
b
: relating to things that are not very important or serious
a petty argument about grammar
petty jealousy
c
: committing crimes that are not very serious
petty criminals/thieves/crooks
2
: treating people harshly and unfairly because of things that are not very important
a small-minded, petty person
My behavior was petty and stupid. I apologize.
Cite this Entry
“Petty.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/petty. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
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