PetiteUsed for a woman or figure that is small and slim is usually used to describe a woman or a body shape that is small and slimThin in a pleasing way; not wide or heavy. It can also refer to a clothing size made for short or slenderGracefully thin and narrow in build women.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-16. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /pəˈtiːt/
Easy pronunciation: puh-TEET (approximate spelling).
Stress: Stress the second syllable.
Adjective meaning very small, especially small and slender in build.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-16. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Petite Meaning
small and slim, especially for a woman or a person’s figure
Part of speech: adjective
Definition: very small; especially small and slender in build
Example: She has a petite figure and wears small sizes.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- diminutive — Works well as a general adjective meaning very small.
- tiny — A strong everyday substitute when size is the main idea.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-16. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Petite
Meaning 2
a clothing size made for women with a small frame or shorter height
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a garment size for short or slender women
Example: She wears petite sizes in most stores.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-16. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Petite Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- diminutive
- tiny
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-16. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Using petite to mean only 'pretty' or 'dainty' instead of 'small and slim'.
- Confusing the adjective petite with the noun petite, which is a clothing size.
- Using offensive or outdated words like midget as synonyms.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-16. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does petite mean?
Petite usually means small and slender, especially when describing a woman’s build or figure. It can also mean a clothing size made for shorter or slimmer women.
What are the best synonyms for petite?
The strongest simple synonyms for the adjective sense are diminutive and tiny, though tiny is more general and petite often suggests a small, slender shape rather than just size.
Is petite the same as small?
Not exactly. Petite means small, but it usually suggests a slim or delicate build, especially for a person or figure.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-16. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.