petty
pronunciation
How to pronounce petty in British English:
UK [ˈpeti]
How to pronounce petty in American English:
US [ˈpeti]
-
- Adjective:
- inferior in rank or status
- (informal terms) small and of little importance
- contemptibly narrow in outlook
Word Origin
- petty (adj.)
- late 14c., "small," from phonemic spelling of Old French petit "small" (see petit). In English, not originally disparaging (as still in petty cash, 1834; petty officer, 1570s). Meaning "of small importance" is recorded from 1520s; that of "small-minded" is from 1580s. Related: Pettily; pettiness. An old name for "Northern Lights" was petty dancers.
Synonym
Antonym
Example
- 1. He got the sack for petty thiev-ing .
- 2. Petty criminals are often lynched in the countryside too .
- 3. He was also arrested for petty theft in connection with checks .
- 4. No sir , he just wasn 't cut out for petty larceny .
- 5. Yet one constant remains : petty political bickering .