Refine this word faster

Stronger alternatives Opposite tone Use in context Cross-language nuance

Picayune

//ˌpɪkəˈjuːn// adj, noun, slang

Definitions

Adjective

1
Of little consequence; small and of little importance; petty, trivial. US, informal
"It's also representative of a psychological syndrome that I notice has gotten steadily worse as the Cruise wears on, a mental list of dissatisfactions and grievances that started picayune but has quickly become nearly despair-grade."
2
Childishly spiteful; tending to go on about unimportant things; small-minded. US, informal

Adjective

1
(informal) small and of little importance wordnet

Noun

1
A small coin of the value of six-and-a-quarter cents; a Spanish coin with a value of half a real; a fippenny bit. Louisiana, US, especially, historical
2
A coin worth five cents (a nickel) or some other low value. US, archaic, broadly
3
A person regarded as unworthy of respect or useless; also, something of very little value; a trifle. US, figuratively, informal
4
An argument, fact, or other issue raised (often intentionally) that distracts from a larger issue or fails to make any difference. US, figuratively, informal

Etymology

Etymology 1

The noun is borrowed from southern French picaillon, pécaillon, picayon (“type of small foreign coin; (informal, especially in the plural) cash, money”), and from its etymon Occitan picalhon, picaioun (“cheaply made Savoyan-Piedmontese coin that was rapidly demonetized; (by extension) cash, money”), probably from Occitan piquar (“to ring (bells); to knock, strike”) (referring to the clinking of coins in a pocket), originally imitative. The adjective is derived from the noun.

Etymology 2

Next best steps

Find stronger synonyms See usage examples Check pronunciation

Mini challenge

Unscramble this word: picayune