What does PETTY mean? / English Word of the Week / learn new English words / Misterduncan

Hello there. Today's word is 'petty'.

The word ‘petty’ is an adjective with many meanings.

First it can describe something of little importance.

A trivial or minor event or situation can be described as 'petty'.

To be unduly concerned with trivial matters, especially in a small-minded or spiteful way.

To concentrate on a small mistakes or to use a minor error against someone can be described as being ‘petty’.

‘Most of these complaints were made by residents, who have nothing better to do than be petty.’

(attributive) To be of secondary or lesser importance – in rank, position or scale.

When comparing a lower ranked official with one higher up. A petty official.

The small change, often consisting of coins kept for a day’s trading in a shop or business, is often referred to as ‘petty cash’.

In law, a crime of lesser importance can be described as ‘petty’.

‘He was charged with petty theft.’

A petty criminal carries out minor crimes.

The opposite term is ‘grand’. ‘He was charged with grand theft.’

This describes a serious crime.

The word ‘petty’ originated in Middle English, in the sense of something being small in size

and derives from the phonetic spelling of the French word ‘petit’.

Synonyms of ‘petty’ include… small - minor - insignificant - trivial - irrelevant - trifling - unimportant – inconsequential

P E T T Y petty