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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 notes

In 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

Word forms

more petite comparative, petites plural, Petites plural, most petite superlative

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Test yourself on “petite” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

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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."

Origin: French

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.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial