noun
pet peeve
pet PEEV
Pet peeve (noun) means a small, specific thing that annoys you far more than it annoys most people. Example: “My biggest pet peeve is people who reply-all to a company-wide email.”
noun
1
A small, specific thing that annoys you far more than it annoys most people.
"My biggest pet peeve is people who reply-all to a company-wide email."
"Loud chewing is his pet peeve."
How to use pet peeve
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA little thing that really annoys you.
When to use it
Informal and conversational; chiefly American in origin but now used everywhere. Plural is pet peeves.
Memory tip
The pattern is 'my pet peeve is...' or 'a pet peeve of mine'. Do not say 'I pet peeve'.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
my biggest pet peeve
pet peeve of mine
a common pet peeve
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My biggest _____ is people who reply-all to a company-wide email.
Etymology
From pet in the sense of 'favourite, particularly cherished' plus peeve, a back-formation from peevish meaning irritable.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for pet peeve
See all rhymes for pet peeve →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a pet peeve and a bugbear?
They mean nearly the same thing. Bugbear is the more British word and often applies to a wider, more serious source of irritation, while pet peeve is American in origin and usually names a small, oddly specific annoyance.
Why is it called a pet peeve?
Pet here carries its old sense of 'favourite' or 'specially kept', as in a pet theory or a pet project. A peeve is an irritation, so a pet peeve is an annoyance you keep and nurse as your own.
What are common pet peeves?
Frequently cited ones include loud chewing, people who stand still at the top of escalators, slow walkers, replying-all unnecessarily, and leaving the last bit of milk in the carton. The point of the phrase is that the reaction is disproportionate to the offence.
What is the meaning of pet peeve?
"pet peeve" (noun) means a small, specific thing that annoys you far more than it annoys most people.
