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.

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

Jan 20, 2026 · Adjective petty (comparative pettier or more petty, superlative pettiest or most petty) (often derogatory) Having little or no importance. [from 16th c.]

Petty definition: Of small importance; trivial.

Petty, paltry, trifling, trivial apply to something that is so insignificant as to be almost unworthy of notice. Petty implies contemptible insignificance and littleness, inferiority and small worth: petty quarrels.

petty meaning, definition, what is petty: a petty problem, detail etc is small and...: Learn more.

PETTY meaning: 1 : not very important or serious; 2 : relating to things that are not very important or serious