Definition of Petty
Petty
pet·ty
Definition/Meaning
(adjective)
trivial, having little to no significance or importance;
e.g. They do not wish to be involved in such a petty political game.
(adjective)
unnecessarily concerned with trivial/minor matters or showing narrow sympathies or interests, especially in a way that is small-minded or spiteful;
e.g. He had petty motivations in making this decision, since he just wanted to prove that he was correct.
(adjective)
having a lesser or secondary scale, rank, or importance, i.e. subordinate;
e.g. He assigned his petty officer to oversee the plan.
(adjective)
in legal usage, minor and not very serious or important, used to describe a crime;
e.g. The incidence of petty thefts in the city has gone down over the past year.
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