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pettiness
[ pet-ee-nis ]
/ ˈpɛt i nɪs /
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This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
noun
the quality or condition of being of little, lesser, or no importance, consequence, or merit; insignificance: The economic cost of these wildfires pales into pettiness when compared to the real victims—the wildlife and the natural landscape.The film is a comedy about the boredom, pettiness, and general strangeness of working in an office, as the protagonists spend their days plotting a way out of their dull and meaningless jobs.
the quality or condition of having or expressing limited ideas, interests, etc.; narrow-mindedness:The novel is set against a background of small-town deceit and pettiness.
the quality or condition of being unkind, stingy, or ungenerous, especially in small or trifling things; meanspiritedness:Their pettiness is perhaps best demonstrated by the threatened removal of an assortment of services provided to residents—things like fresh fruit, free coffee, and a monthly outing.
QUIZ
THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
Question 1 of 7
In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…
Words nearby pettiness
petticoat insulator, petticoat narcissus, pettifog, pettifogger, pettifogging, pettiness, petting, petting zoo, pettipants, pettish, pettiskirt
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023