Picayune
adjective
Something that is not important or valuable.
He always brings up picayune details in our meeting, which delays the main discussion.
noun
An old coin of little value.
Back in the day, a candy would cost a picayune.
Usage tips
Historical
adjective
Something that is not important or valuable.
He always brings up picayune details in our meeting, which delays the main discussion.
noun
An old coin of little value.
Back in the day, a candy would cost a picayune.
Usage tips
Historical
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Not Worth Mentioning
Used to describe issues that don't deserve attention in the given situation.
Arguing over who arrived first is picayune and distracts from the meeting's agenda.
Pro Tip 2/3Slight Negative Tone
Carries a mildly dismissive attitude toward the item or subject being discussed.
She dismissed his objections as picayune, unworthy of further consideration.
Pro Tip 3/3Context Driven
Its significance depends on context; what's picayune in one scenario might be crucial in another.
In large businesses, such picayune expenses are often ignored.
Pro Tip 1/3Not Worth Mentioning
Used to describe issues that don't deserve attention in the given situation.
Arguing over who arrived first is picayune and distracts from the meeting's agenda.
Pro Tip 2/3Slight Negative Tone
Carries a mildly dismissive attitude toward the item or subject being discussed.
She dismissed his objections as picayune, unworthy of further consideration.
Pro Tip 3/3Context Driven
Its significance depends on context; what's picayune in one scenario might be crucial in another.
In large businesses, such picayune expenses are often ignored.
Pro Tip 1/3Not Worth Mentioning
Used to describe issues that don't deserve attention in the given situation.
Arguing over who arrived first is picayune and distracts from the meeting's agenda.
Pro Tip 2/3Slight Negative Tone
Carries a mildly dismissive attitude toward the item or subject being discussed.
She dismissed his objections as picayune, unworthy of further consideration.
Pro Tip 3/3Context Driven
Its significance depends on context; what's picayune in one scenario might be crucial in another.
In large businesses, such picayune expenses are often ignored.
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Quote examples
Jacob Rees-Mogg
English Politician
It is hard to see taxing plastic bags as one of the great issues of our time that merits the foremost place in our finest statesmen's minds. It is an absurd little issue, a picayune proportion of household waste, and a pointless inconvenience in people's lives.
Quote examples
Jacob Rees-Mogg
English Politician
It is hard to see taxing plastic bags as one of the great issues of our time that merits the foremost place in our finest statesmen's minds. It is an absurd little issue, a picayune proportion of household waste, and a pointless inconvenience in people's lives.
Example 1 of 1
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