HOW TO PRONOUNCE
petty
/ˈpɛt.i/
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American Pronunciation Guide · 1:03
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What does petty mean?
adjective
- Little or small in size.
- Secondary in importance or rank; minor, subordinate.
noun
- (informal) An outbuilding used as a lavatory; an outhouse, a privy.
More meanings (7)
proper noun
- A surname.
adjective
- (derogatory) Having little or no importance.
- (derogatory) Of persons or their behaviour: marked by or reflective of undesirably limited interests, sympathies, or views; begrudging, selfish, small-minded; also, preoccupied with subjects having little or no importance and not mindful of broader concerns.
- (derogatory, informal) Inclined to cause frustration or annoyance to others out of spite over minor grievances; extremely vindictive.
- (historical) Of or relating to the lowest grade or level of school; junior, primary.
noun
- (historical) A class or school for young schoolboys.
- (figuratively, obsolete) A little schoolboy, either in grade or size.
Definitions regrouped for readability · CC BY-SA 4.0
IPA pronunciation
/ˈpɛt.i/
Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗Pronunciation varies by speaker and region. About these dictionary pronunciations.
In the pages of books
See this word in context.
Who would not prefer that possibility to the unceasing agitations and frequent revolutions which are the continual scourges of petty republics?
They live like insects, absorbed in petty activities that seem to have nothing to do with any genial aspect of human life.
More book examples (3)
It happened that a nail came away with the wood, and projecting, gave a touch of danger to an otherwise petty weapon.
He is cautious in his speculation, and sacrifices momentary doubtful, and hence, petty successes, to the greater later success of certain earning.
Do you mean the property of the petty artisan and of the small peasant, a form of property that preceded the bourgeois form?