of little value or importance, paltry, measly; concerned with trifling matters, small-minded concerned with trifling matters; petty; small; of little value of little value or importance petty of little value or account; small; trifling; petty, carping, or prejudiced -Of little value or importance; paltry. -Petty; small-minded. useless, minor, insignificant petty or insignificant; concerned with trifling matters; worthless of little value or account; small; trifling. trifling or petty (a person) English teachers are notorious for being picayune; however, the English language is so nuanced and sophisticated that often such teachers are not being contrary but are only adhering to the rules. Definition of Picayune insignificant; small Examples of Picayune in a sentence While twenty dollars may seem like a picayune sum to you, it is a fortune to a starving person. Jim was not upset because he lost only a picayune amount of money at the casino. In the big scheme of life, the death of a single ant seems picayune. The hotel manager hates to deal with customers who complain about picayune issues like tiny wrinkles in their bed sheets. On my picayune salary, I can barely pay my bills.