pettiness: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Neutral, Critical
Quick answer
What does “pettiness” mean?
The quality of being concerned with trivial or insignificant matters, especially in a small-minded or spiteful way.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The quality of being concerned with trivial or insignificant matters, especially in a small-minded or spiteful way.
A state or condition characterized by an undue focus on minor details or by a lack of generosity and magnanimity. It suggests a mindset that prioritises trivial grievances over substantive issues.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling, meaning, or pronunciation differences. Usage is consistent across both varieties.
Connotations
Identical negative connotations in both cultures.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American media commentary, but the difference is marginal.
Grammar
How to Use “pettiness” in a Sentence
[Verb] pettiness: display, demonstrate, descend into, criticise, be above[Adjective] pettiness: pure, sheer, pathetic, astounding, remarkableVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “pettiness” in a Sentence
adverb
British English
- He pettily refused to share his notes after the minor disagreement.
American English
- She was pettily focused on the font size in the memo instead of its content.
adjective
British English
- His behaviour was incredibly petty during the budget meeting.
American English
- She got into a petty argument over who used the last coffee pod.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Critiquing counterproductive office politics or managers focusing on minor protocol breaches over results.
Academic
Analysing historical figures' motivations, literary character flaws, or sociological studies of group conflict.
Everyday
Describing arguments about chores, neighbour disputes, or social media quarrels over minor points.
Technical
Not typically used in hard sciences; may appear in psychology or organisational behaviour discussions.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “pettiness”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “pettiness”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “pettiness”
- Misspelling as 'petiness' (single 't'). Using it to describe objects (e.g., 'a petty detail' is correct, 'the pettiness of the detail' is an abstract quality of the observation, not the detail itself).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, without exception. It is a critical term describing a character flaw.
'Petty' is an adjective describing actions or things (a petty argument). 'Pettiness' is the abstract noun describing the overall quality or state of being petty.
Yes, it can be used metaphorically to describe the prevailing culture of an institution that focuses on trivial rules and minor grievances over meaningful work.
No. The closest positive concept is 'meticulousness' or 'attention to detail,' which lacks the connotation of spite or small-mindedness inherent in 'pettiness'.
The quality of being concerned with trivial or insignificant matters, especially in a small-minded or spiteful way.
Pettiness is usually formal, neutral, critical in register.
Pettiness: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpet.i.nəs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpet̬.i.nəs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Sink to new depths of pettiness”
- “A monument to pettiness”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'petty' (small) + 'ness' (state of being). Imagine a tiny, yapping dog (a 'pet') making a huge fuss about a crumb – that's the 'state of being petty'.
Conceptual Metaphor
PETTINESS IS SMALLNESS / NARROWNESS (of mind, spirit, or concern).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'pettiness' MOST appropriately used?