Learn How to Pronounce petty

Not sure how to say a word? Try the Promova pronunciation tool for free and learn how to pronounce anything in English correctly. Discover over 100,000 words and easily learn English pronunciation online!

Find your word:

Try:

Find how to pronounce a word and practice it in our free word pronouncer for English learners!

How to pronounce:

Listen to the pronunciation:

petty

Definition:

(nou) larceny of property having a value less than some amount (the amount varies by locale)

Phonetic Transcription:

ˈpeti

Examples:

The merits of the fact are petty.

He's a vainglorious and petty autocrat.

The inexperience concerns seem petty.

Learn more about:

petty

Related Words:

How to perfect your pronunciation of: petty

Learn Individual Sounds

Break petty down into individual sounds such as ˈpeti. Practice these parts before you learn to say the whole word.

Copy Others

Use the tools above to find out how different people say petty in their accents, then try to repeat after them.

Pick an Accent

Avoid mixing word pronunciations. If you’re learning American English, stick to it and try not to confuse yourself with British pronunciation.

Record Yourself

Say petty in the pronunciation tool as many times as it takes before you get it right. Record yourself saying different sentences with petty.

Get a Native Tutor

Improve your pronunciation with native speakers! Practice with American, British, and Australian teachers on Promova.

Common mistakes of petty pronunciation

  1. Misplacing stress: Many learners stress the second syllable, saying "pe-'tty" instead of "'pet-ty". Tip: Remember that the primary stress is on the first syllable, /ˈpɛti/ in US and UK pronunciation.
  2. Vowel confusion: Some might pronounce the "e" as a long vowel, saying "pay-ty" instead of "petty". Tip: Focus on the short "e" sound /ɛ/, as in "bed", to achieve the correct pronunciation.
  3. Overemphasizing the "t": Learners may pronounce the "t" too forcefully, resulting in "pet-TEE" instead of "petty". Tip: Keep the "t" soft and quick, sounding like /t/ in /ˈpɛti/, to maintain a natural flow.
  4. Dropping the final "y": Some speakers might omit the "y" sound, saying "pet" instead of "petty". Tip: Ensure to pronounce the final "y" clearly as /i/, completing the word as /ˈpɛti/.
  5. Incorrect vowel length: A common mistake is to elongate the "e" sound, leading to "pee-tee" rather than "petty". Tip: Use a short vowel sound /ɛ/ to keep the pronunciation accurate and concise.

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "petty" in American English?

In American English, "petty" is pronounced as /ˈpɛti/. The stress is on the first syllable, which sounds like "pet," followed by a quick "ee" sound.

Is there a difference in pronunciation of "petty" between British and American English?

No, "petty" is pronounced the same way in both British and American English, /ˈpɛti/. The syllable stress and vowel sounds remain consistent across these dialects.

What does the "e" in "petty" sound like?

In "petty," the "e" is pronounced as a short vowel sound /ɛ/, similar to the "e" in "bed." This sound is often found in unstressed syllables in English.

Are there any common mistakes when pronouncing "petty"?

One common mistake is misplacing the stress, pronouncing it as /pɛˈti/. Remember to keep the stress on the first syllable: /ˈpɛti/.
Improve your pronunciation with a convenient app anywhere, anytime