Definition of "petty" in English

adjective

1. Having little or no importance.

   • a petty fault    petty squabbles

2. 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.

   • Such literature may well be anathema to those who are too docile and petty for their own good.
   • That corporation is only slightly pettier than they are greedy, and they are overdue to reap the consequences.

3. Inclined to cause frustration or annoyance to others out of spite over minor grievances; extremely vindictive.

   • My cousin is so petty—I forgot his birthday and he's been making snarky comments all week.

4. (historical) Of or relating to the lowest grade or level of school; junior, primary.

5. Little or small in size.

6. Secondary in importance or rank; minor, subordinate.

   • petty cash    petty officer

noun

1. (dialectal, euphemistic, informal) An outbuilding used as a lavatory; an outhouse, a privy.

2. (historical) A class or school for young schoolboys.

3. (obsolete, chiefly in the plural, also figuratively) A little schoolboy, either in grade or size.