petty
gb/pˈɛti/ us/pˈɛti/
B1
Inglés
~ 4500
Acepciones
0 acepciones
adjective
informal
B2
property
1
Small-minded and mean-spirited
Acting in an unkind way about things that are not important.
Patrón de uso:
[someone] is petty about [something]
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes confuse 'petty' with 'pretty' due to similar pronunciation; they are unrelated in meaning.
Sinónimos
small-minded (Focuses on limited, narrow thinking, often without the emotional spite.)
|
mean-spirited (Emphasizes cruelty or nastiness rather than triviality.)
Antónimos
generous (Willing to forgive and focus on important matters rather than trivial issues.)
|
broad-minded (Open to different views and not concerned with small or unimportant faults.)
Colocaciones
petty argument
|petty behavior
|petty complaint
|petty jealousy
Temas
emotions
|relationships
|daily life
Ejemplos
- She can be so petty, holding grudges over the smallest mistakes.
- His petty comments made the meeting uncomfortable.
- I don't want to sound petty, but I really disliked the way he ignored me.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- She is petty about small mistakes.
- He made a petty remark about my shoes.
- I do not like petty people.
adjective
B1
property
2
Unimportant or minor
Not important; small in value or meaning.
Patrón de uso:
petty [noun]
Sinónimos
trivial (Very close in meaning; often interchangeable.)
|
minor (Slightly broader, can apply to size, importance, or seriousness.)
Antónimos
important (Significant in value, meaning, or effect.)
|
major (Large in importance or seriousness.)
Colocaciones
petty details
|petty rules
|petty differences
Temas
daily life
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- They argued over petty details instead of focusing on the main issue.
- The manager dismissed the complaint as petty.
- We shouldn't waste time on such petty matters.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- This is a petty problem.
- They fight about petty things.
- Do not worry about petty rules.
adjective
B2
property
3
Involving a minor crime or offense
About a small crime that is not very serious.
Patrón de uso:
petty [crime/offense/theft]
Sinónimos
minor (General term for lesser severity, not necessarily legal.)
|
misdemeanor (Legal term for a less serious crime.)
Antónimos
serious crime (A crime of great severity or harm.)
|
felony (Legal term for a major crime.)
Colocaciones
petty theft
|petty crime
|petty offender
Temas
law
Ejemplos
- He was arrested for petty theft.
- Petty crime has been on the rise in the city.
- The law treats petty offenses differently from felonies.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- She went to jail for petty theft.
- Petty crime is common here.
- He is guilty of a petty offense.
Gramática
Forma de diccionario
petty
AFI
GB/pˈɛti/
US/pˈɛti/
Sílabas y acento
petty (1 sílaba)
Stress on 1st syllable (petty)
Formas de la palabra
Adjective
- Base: petty
- Comparative: pettier
- Superlative: pettiest
Familia de palabras
Forms
pettier
adjective
pettiest
adjective
Core family
pettiness
noun
Related words
pettily
adverb
Expresiones
petty cash
1/pˈɛti kˈæʃ/
fixed phrase
Small fund for minor expenses
A small amount of money kept to pay for small things at work.
Ejemplos
- The receptionist manages the petty cash for office supplies.
- We used the petty cash to buy coffee for the meeting.
petty officer
1/pˈɛti ˈɔfɪsɚ/
fixed phrase
Non-commissioned naval officer rank
A low-ranking officer in the navy or coast guard who is not in the highest group of officers.
Ejemplos
- Her brother is a petty officer in the Navy.
- Petty officers often supervise junior sailors.