Internet
petty
What does petty mean?
Reacting to minor slights with over-the-top revenge or attitude.
"She replied with a screenshot from a year ago, so petty."
Origin
From petty meaning trivial, it became AAVE-rooted slang for being amusingly spiteful over small things.
Frequently asked questions
What does petty mean in slang?
Petty means being deliberately spiteful over small things, often in a funny, dramatic way.
Is being petty a bad thing?
It's usually lighthearted and self-aware, more funny than genuinely harmful.
What does petty mean on TikTok?
On TikTok petty describes dramatic, over-the-top reactions to minor slights.
How do you use petty in a sentence?
For example: 'she's so petty she muted him mid-call.'
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