petty
12 synonyms and 4 antonyms for petty, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Minor or unimportant, especially compared to more serious matters.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use petty
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
petty crime
petty cash
petty argument
so petty
Etymology
From Old French petit, "small" — the same root as "petit" and "petite," worn down in English pronunciation and spelling.
Full origin of petty →Frequently asked questions
What does “petty” mean?
The word “petty” means minor or unimportant, especially compared to more serious matters. In plain terms, trivial or small in importance — or, describing a person, small-minded and spiteful about minor things.
How do you pronounce “petty”?
“Petty” is pronounced PEHT-ee (/ˈpɛt.i/ in IPA).
How do you use “petty” in a sentence?
Here is “petty” used in a sentence: “It was just a petty disagreement over parking spaces.”
What part of speech is “petty”?
“Petty” is an adjective.
Where does the word “petty” come from?
The word “petty” comes from Old French. From Old French petit, "small" — the same root as "petit" and "petite," worn down in English pronunciation and spelling.
Is “petty” a common word?
“Petty” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “petty” have?
“Petty” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: minor or unimportant, especially compared to more serious matters.
What is the difference between petty and trivial?
Trivial neutrally describes things of little importance: a trivial detail, a trivial error. Petty can carry the same 'minor' meaning, as in petty crime, but when applied to people or behavior it adds a judgment of spiteful small-mindedness. A dispute can be trivial; a person who prolongs it is petty.
Is petty always negative?
As a description of people or behavior, yes — petty implies small-mindedness or spite and is never a compliment. In fixed phrases like petty cash and petty theft, however, it simply means small in scale, with no judgment of character intended.
