What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
petty
Example
She was angry at her friend for not inviting her to the party, but she knew it was a petty issue. [petty: adjective]
Example
The teacher was being petty by giving a detention for being one minute late. [petty: adjective]
trivial
Example
The argument was about something trivial, like which movie to watch. [trivial: adjective]
Example
He dismissed the criticism as trivial and unworthy of his attention. [trivial: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Trivial is more commonly used than petty in everyday language. Trivial is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while petty is less common and often used in specific situations to describe a person's behavior or attitude.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between petty and trivial?
Both petty and trivial can be used in formal and informal contexts, but trivial is more versatile and can be used in a wider range of situations.
