petty

/ˈpeti/ (bre, ipa) · [pˈɛtˌi] /ˈpeti/ (ame, ipa) · [pˈɛtˌi] /ˈpe-tē/ (ame, mw)

petty — adjective

  • pettypositive
  • pettiercomparative
  • pettiestsuperlative

1. having a low position, or mattering so little that it does not deserve much atte

1.形容詞C2
釋義

having a low position, or mattering so little that it does not deserve much attention

例句

The mayor refused to waste time on a petty argument about parking signs.

petty + argument

The queen ignored the petty official and asked for the chief guard.

petty + official for low rank

同義詞
  • minor

    a close neutral synonym for something not important

  • secondary

    stresses that something is not in the first position

  • trivial

    often suggests that something can safely be ignored

  • subordinate

    more formal and often used for rank or position

反義詞

文法句型

petty argument

petty detail

petty official

petty rule

用法筆記

Usually before nouns such as detail, rule, official, and dispute. Distinguish from sense 3: this sense describes the thing as minor, while sense 3 criticizes a person's attitude to small matters.

常見錯誤

❌I need a petty box for my keys.
✅I need a small box for my keys.
💡Petty is about importance or rank, not physical size.

2. causing only limited harm or concern, especially when talking about crimes or wr

2.形容詞C2
釋義

causing only limited harm or concern, especially when talking about crimes or wrongdoing

例句

Police arrested two boys for petty theft at the station shop.

petty theft

The judge gave Lena a fine for a petty offence.

petty offence

同義詞
  • minor

    the broadest synonym for low seriousness

  • slight

    often used for small harm, damage, or injury

  • low-level

    often used for crime or illegal activity near the bottom of a scale

反義詞
  • serious

    likely to cause real harm or strong concern

  • major

    large in degree or importance

文法句型

petty crime

petty theft

petty offence

petty vandalism

用法筆記

Usually before nouns like crime, theft, offence, and vandalism, especially in news or legal contexts. Distinguish from sense 1: both can describe something minor, but this sense focuses on low seriousness, especially in illegal or harmful acts.

常見錯誤

❌The police caught him for petty.
✅The police caught him for petty theft.
💡In this sense, petty usually modifies a crime noun, not a person by itself.

3. showing an unkind habit of making a big issue out of small matters

3.形容詞C2
釋義

showing an unkind habit of making a big issue out of small matters

例句

Nina hid the remote control in a petty fight with her brother.

petty + fight

After dinner, Marcus made a petty comment about Rosa's cheap shoes.

petty + comment

同義詞
  • mean

    broader and can describe many kinds of unkind behavior

  • small-minded

    stresses narrow thinking and lack of generosity

  • spiteful

    stronger and suggests a wish to hurt someone

  • childish

    focuses on immature behavior more than unkindness

反義詞

文法句型

be petty about + noun

petty comment

petty fight

petty revenge

用法筆記

Often used for behavior, comments, jealousy, or revenge over very small matters. Distinguish from sense 1: sense 1 says the matter is minor, while this sense blames someone for reacting to it in a narrow or unkind way.

常見錯誤

❌My sister is petty because she is short.
✅My sister is petty because she keeps mocking small mistakes.
💡Petty describes mean attention to small matters, not body size.