petty adjective (SELFISH) selfish and mean, esp. because of having too much interest in small and unimportant matters:

The meaning of PETTY is having secondary rank or importance : minor, subordinate. How to use petty in a sentence.

1. of little or no importance; inconsequential: petty grievances. 2. of lesser importance or merit; minor: petty considerations. 3. having or showing narrow ideas, interests, etc.: petty minds. 4. ungenerous …

If you describe someone's behavior as petty, you mean that they care too much about small, unimportant things and perhaps that they are unnecessarily unkind.

Feb 13, 2026 · Adjective petty (comparative pettier or more petty, superlative pettiest or most petty) (often derogatory) Having little or no importance. [from 16th c.]

Definition of petty adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

Petty definition: Of small importance; trivial.

Small; little; trifling; trivial; inconsiderable or insignificant; of little account: as, petty payments; a petty quarrel. Of minor importance or gravity; not heinous or serious: as, petty trespass; a petty crime.

PETTY definition: of little or no importance or consequence. See examples of petty used in a sentence.

petty definition: having little or no importance. Check meanings, examples, usage tips, pronunciation, domains, and related words. Discover expressions like "petty cash", "petty criminal", "petty crime".