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

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

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.

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. …

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

Nov 14, 2025 · (informal) Inclined to cause frustration or annoyance to others out of spite over minor grievances; extremely vindictive. Synonyms: see Thesaurus: vengeful My cousin is so …

Petty definition: Of small importance; trivial.