petite

[puh-teet]

adjective

1. relating to or being a woman who is short and has a small, trim figure; diminutive: The sash accentuates her petite waist.

   She is a petite brunette.

   The sash accentuates her petite waist.

2. small; little.

   I usually buy frozen petite peas.

   Traveling by air with your petite pooch or kitty has never been easier!

noun

1. a category of clothing sized for women or girls of less than average height.

2. a garment in such a size.

   The petites are on that rack.

3. a woman or girl who wears clothing of such a size.

petite

/ pəˈtiːt /

adjective

1. (of a woman) small, delicate, and dainty

Other Word Forms

• petiteness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of petite¹

First recorded in 1760–70; from French; feminine of petit

Word History and Origins

Origin of petite¹

C18: from French, feminine of petit small

Example Sentences

A petite, blond mother of four, Johnson found herself deeply upset by the children, touching them as she passed and handing out pieces of protein bars and fruit she carried in her bag, Ziesing remembers.

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In his archives, Francis found a petite high heel shoe last roughly the length of his hand.

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She said: "She was just so petite, very tiny and she'd just sit in a little chair."

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"Physically, how would I describe her? She's very pretty, very petite and always well turned out."

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"I'm quite petite myself. They said he would have been big for me."

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Related Words

• dainty 
• diminutive