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 Coming back to the drama a little bit—I’m curious about, well, the petty crime, Colin. Hazlitt, 20 Mar. 2024 The United States is supposed to have a system that cherishes debate and rejects petty attempts to shut it down. The Editors, National Review, 13 Mar. 2024 Jihan had noticed that the act of matrimony transformed many of her friends’ charming suitors into petty tyrants. Anand Gopal, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024 Quaid’s role, a naive sailor sentenced to eight years’ time for a petty offense, nearly went to John Travolta. Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2024 One is that we can't be consumed by our petty differences, and we will be united in our common interests. Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 7 Mar. 2024 Perspective Carolyn Hax: Navigating her mom’s careless nature Perspective Carolyn Hax: A strikingly petty father poisons the whole family Perspective Carolyn Hax: Why can’t my family be close like others? Amy Dickinson, Washington Post, 4 Mar. 2024 Even a man’s best friend isn’t safe from politicking and petty grievances. Mikey O'Connell, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Mar. 2024 Many other actors’ memoirs fall victim to recounting petty anecdotes or leaning on emotional platitudes, but Davis’s solidifies all the good that can come out of a performing career. Fran Hoepfner, The Atlantic, 6 Mar. 2024

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 29 Mar. 2024.

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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