petty Definition
- 1of little importance; trivial
- 2of secondary or lesser importance, rank, or scale
- 3mean-spirited and ungenerous in small or trifling ways
Using petty: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "petty" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The dispute was over a petty issue.
Example
She was accused of stealing petty cash from the company.
Example
He was always getting into petty arguments with his coworkers.
petty Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for petty
Antonyms for petty
Idioms Using petty
Example
He walked with a petty pace towards his inevitable end.
Example
He was a petty fogger who made a living by representing clients in small claims court.
a person who exercises power or authority in a small or petty way, often to the detriment of others
Example
He was a petty tyrant who enjoyed bossing around his subordinates.
Phrases with petty
Example
I need to get some petty cash from the accountant to buy office supplies.
a noncommissioned officer in the navy or coast guard ranking above a seaman apprentice and below a chief petty officer
Example
He was promoted to petty officer after serving for three years in the navy.
the lower middle class, especially when regarded as consisting of small business owners, entrepreneurs, and professionals
Example
The petty bourgeoisie played a significant role in the economic development of the country.
Origins of petty
from Old French 'petit', meaning 'small'
Summary: petty in Brief
The term 'petty' [ˈpɛti] refers to things of little importance or significance, often trivial or minor. It can also describe mean-spirited or ungenerous behavior in small or trifling ways, as in 'He was always getting into petty arguments with his coworkers.' 'Petty' extends into phrases like 'petty cash,' and idioms like 'a petty pace,' denoting a slow and steady pace, often used in reference to death or dying.
