What does pettish mean?
Pettish means easily annoyed and inclined to sulk or behave childishly. The word often describes someone whose irritation appears in a pout, a pointed silence, an exaggerated complaint, or an abrupt refusal to speak. It is similar to peevish, petulant, and sulky, but its strongly literary tone gives it a somewhat old-fashioned quality. In fiction, “she became pettish” can quickly establish a character as touchy, proud, or emotionally immature; in less formal writing, it may humorously emphasize sulking over a relatively small matter. Pettish is not normally used to describe open anger, profound grief, or sustained hostility. Instead, it is especially appropriate for moods that are superficially mild but irritatingly conspicuous, including long silences, wounded expressions, and demands for reassurance. Although sometimes regarded as old-fashioned, the word remains intelligible and expressive in contemporary British and American English.
adjectiveEasily annoyed and inclined to sulk or behave childishly; peevish.
- Easily annoyed and inclined to sulk or behave childishly.
"She became pettish when nobody answered her question."
"He gave her a pettish look and refused to explain himself."
"The criticism was reasonable, but her pettish response made the discussion difficult."
Born in the 1600s, “pettish” still captures a modern mood: too small for a full-blown quarrel, but too sharp to ignore.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does pettish come from?
Pettish appeared in English in the early 17th century, formed from pet—an older word related to “small” or “trivial”—and the adjectival suffix -ish. Pet came through Old French from petit, a word also ancestral to petty and petite. Over time, the sense of pettish developed toward a peevish, sulky, or childish manner of behavior.
Related word forms
How pettish is actually used
A literary, slightly old-fashioned word used in both British and American English. It usually conveys peevishness, sulking, or childish irritation rather than calm displeasure.
Easily confused with pettish
Pettish describes peevish, sulky, or childishly irritable behavior, whereas petty means trivial, insignificant, or overly concerned with small matters.
Both words can describe irritable behavior, but petulant often implies open complaint or demanding behavior, while pettish more often suggests sulking or a touchy mood.