1
Core quality
Of little importance or scale; also, meanly concerned with trivial matters.
Example
A petty dispute delayed the larger agreement.
petty
/ˈpeti/ · PET-eeadjective
Of little importance or scale; also, meanly concerned with trivial matters.
Use petty to express this relationship precisely: of little importance or scale; also, meanly concerned with trivial matters.
What petty Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Attributive or predicative use
Use this adjective before a suitable noun or after a linking verb such as be or seem.
Example
The official used petty rules to punish critics.
3
Analytical distinction
Choose it when this exact descriptive quality matters; a related word may overlap without conveying the same trait.
Example
She ignored petty insults and addressed the central issue.
Use petty Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
A petty dispute delayed the larger agreement.
The official used petty rules to punish critics.
She ignored petty insults and addressed the central issue.
Precision Matters
Petty overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
petty
vs.Means of little importance or scale; also, meanly concerned with trivial matters.
fundamental
Means basic, essential, or forming a necessary foundation on which something depends.
petty
vs.Means of little importance or scale; also, meanly concerned with trivial matters.
profound
Means deep, insightful, or intense.
petty
vs.Means of little importance or scale; also, meanly concerned with trivial matters.
momentous
Means very important or significant.
petty
vs.Means of little importance or scale; also, meanly concerned with trivial matters.
trivial
Means of little importance or consequence.
Test petty in Context
The issue is trivial and unimportant.
1
The committee wasted hours arguing over the ___ question of who would sit nearest the door.