adj
Uncommon
petite
puh-TEET
Petite (adj) means describing a woman who is small, slim, and neatly built. Example: “The dress came in petite sizes for shorter frames.”
adj
1
Describing a woman who is small, slim, and neatly built.
"The dress came in petite sizes for shorter frames."
"She was petite but had a powerful singing voice."
How to use petite
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSmall and slim, used to describe a woman's figure or clothing made for that build.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
petite frame
petite size
petite woman
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Word forms
- Plural
- petites
- Comparative
- more petite
- Superlative
- most petite
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The dress came in _____ sizes for shorter frames.
Etymology
Borrowed from French petite, the feminine form of petit, "small."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for petite
See all rhymes for petite →Frequently asked questions
What does “petite” mean?
The word “petite” means describing a woman who is small, slim, and neatly built. In plain terms, small and slim, used to describe a woman's figure or clothing made for that build.
How do you pronounce “petite”?
“Petite” is pronounced puh-TEET (/pəˈtiːt/ in IPA).
How do you use “petite” in a sentence?
Here is “petite” used in a sentence: “The dress came in petite sizes for shorter frames.”
What part of speech is “petite”?
“Petite” is an adjective.
Where does the word “petite” come from?
The word “petite” comes from French. Borrowed from French petite, the feminine form of petit, "small.".
Is “petite” a common word?
“Petite” is an uncommon word in modern English.
