because of having too much interest in small and unimportant matters If you describe someone s behavior aspetty you mean that they care too much about small unimportant things and perhaps that they are unnecessarily unkind 1. of little or no importance inconsequential pettygrievances. 2
of lesser importance or merit minor pettyconsiderations. 3. having or showing narrow ideas interests etc. pettyminds
4. ungenerous in trifling matters apettyperson Definition ofpettyadjective in Oxford Advanced Learner s Dictionary
Meaning pronunciation picture example sentences grammar usage notes synonyms and more Nov 14 2025 The adjective is derived from Middle English peti pety little small minor [and other forms] [1] from Anglo Norman petit Middle French petit and Old French peti petit pitet young little small inferior insignificant modern French petit [2] ultimately of imitative origin Petty paltry trifling trivial apply to something that is so insignificant as to be almost unworthy of notice.Pettyimplies contemptible insignificance and littleness inferiority and small worth pettyquarrels The meaning ofPETTYis having secondary rank or importance minor subordinate
How to usepettyin a sentence pettyadjective SELFISH selfish and mean esp. because of having too much interest in small and unimportant matters If you describe someone s behavior aspetty you mean that they care too much about small unimportant things and perhaps that they are unnecessarily unkind 1
of little or no importance inconsequential pettygrievances. 2. of lesser importance or merit minor pettyconsiderations. 3
having or showing narrow ideas interests etc. pettyminds. 4. ungenerous in trifling matters apettyperson Definition ofpettyadjective in Oxford Advanced Learner s Dictionary
Meaning pronunciation picture example sentences grammar usage notes synonyms and more Nov 14 2025 The adjective is derived from Middle English peti pety little small minor [and other forms] [1] from Anglo Norman petit Middle French petit and Old French peti petit pitet young little small inferior insignificant modern French petit [2] ultimately of imitative origin Petty paltry trifling trivial apply to something that is so insignificant as to be almost unworthy of notice.Pettyimplies contemptible insignificance and littleness inferiority and small worth pettyquarrels.