peccadillo

[ pek-uh-dil-oh ]

/ ˌpɛk əˈdɪl oʊ /

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See synonyms for: peccadillo / peccadilloes on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural pec·ca·dil·loes, pec·ca·dil·los.

a very minor or slight sin or offense; a trifling fault.

OTHER WORDS FOR peccadillo

lapse, slip, faux pas, indiscretion.

See synonyms for peccadillo on Thesaurus.com

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QUIZ YOURSELF ON "WAS" VS. "WERE"!

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“Was” is used for the indicative past tense of “to be,” and “were” is only used for the subjunctive past tense.

true

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Origin of peccadillo

1585–95; <Spanish pecadillo, diminutive of pecado sin <Latin peccātum transgression, noun use of neuter of past participle of peccāre to err, offend

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use peccadillo in a sentence

But the flaws and peccadilloes of Renaissance artists like Michelangelo pale beside the misdeeds of patrons and pontiffs.
Great Renaissance Art Thrived Amid Filth|Nick Romeo|December 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Silvio Berlusconi is back in Italian headlines, but not for his peccadilloes or corruption trials.
Silvio Berlusconi, Comeback Kid? Italy’s Ex-P.M. Leverages Euro Crisis|Barbie Latza Nadeau|June 30, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The French press has been criticized abroad for keeping Strauss-Kahn's alleged peccadilloes under wraps.
The Strauss-Kahn Conspiracy Firestorm|Tracy McNicoll|May 19, 2011|DAILY BEAST
In 2001, Premiere Magazine published an extensive article documenting Schwarzenegger's peccadilloes.
Behind Arnold's Deception|Jacob Bernstein|May 18, 2011|DAILY BEAST

Aaron Burr and Richard Cheney (Spiro Agnew's peccadilloes are miniscule in comparison), some two centuries apart.
A Tale of Two Vice Presidents|Lawrence Wilkerson|May 31, 2009|DAILY BEAST
But what were these peccadilloes compared with the sins of the modern 'cigar-light?'
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce|E. R. Billings.
Tiny peccadilloes were no longer matter of jest, and the sinner exposed stood 'sola' to receive the brand.
Lord Ormont and his Aminta, Complete|George Meredith
They are faultlessly beautiful, exceedingly headstrong and full of fascinating peccadilloes.
Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science, Volume 20. December, 1877.|Various
They would lie abominably to conceal their peccadilloes; we lie as abominably in boasting of ours.
Thackerayana|William Makepeace Thackeray
It is to be hoped that when we have got him his occasional small peccadilloes will not be made too much of.
Birds in London|W. H. Hudson

British Dictionary definitions for peccadillo

peccadillo

/ (ˌpɛkəˈdɪləʊ) /

noun plural -loes or -los

a petty sin or trifling fault

Word Origin for peccadillo

C16: from Spanish pecadillo, from pecado sin, from Latin peccātum, from peccāre to transgress

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

peccadillo

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British Dictionary definitions for peccadillo

Word Origin for peccadillo