PETTY definition: 1. not important and not worth giving attention to: 2. complaining too much about things that are…. Learn more.

The meaning of PETTY is having secondary rank or importance : minor, subordinate. How to use petty in a sentence.

1. trivial; trifling; inessential: petty details. 2. of a narrow-minded, mean, or small-natured disposition or character: petty spite. 3. minor or subordinate in rank: petty officialdom. 4. (Law) …

If you describe someone's behavior as petty, you mean that they care too much about small, unimportant things and perhaps that they are unnecessarily unkind.

Definition of petty adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

May 1, 2025 · Doublet of petit and petite. The noun is derived from the adjective. [2] petty (comparative pettier or more petty, superlative pettiest or most petty)

Petty definition: Of small importance; trivial.

Petty, paltry, trifling, trivial apply to something that is so insignificant as to be almost unworthy of notice. Petty implies contemptible insignificance and littleness, inferiority and small worth: petty …

Of minor importance or gravity; not heinous or serious: as, petty trespass; a petty crime. Inferior as regards rank, power, capacity, possessions, etc.; not of great importance, standing, or rank: …

Petty used to mean just "petite" or "small," but now it's used for things that are trivial and shouldn’t matter much. If you host world leaders and spend more time picking napkins than memorizing …