Picayune

/ˌpɪkəˈjuːn/ · noun

Meaning

(especially Louisiana, historical) 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..

Definitions by Sense

1. (especially Louisiana, historical) 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.
2. (by extension, archaic) A coin worth five cents (a nickel) or some other low value.
3. (figuratively, informal) A person regarded as unworthy of respect or useless; also, something of very little value; a trifle.
4. (figuratively, informal) An argument, fact, or other issue raised (often intentionally) that distracts from a larger issue or fails to make any difference.
5. Of little consequence; small and of little importance; petty, trivial.
6. Childishly spiteful; tending to go on about unimportant things; small-minded.

Example Sentences

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.

[T]here are four competing groups promoting the language – and they cannot agree even on how it should be spelled (Kernewek, Kernowek, Kernuak and Curnoack, among others). It might seem like a picayune matter, akin to the rivalry in the film "Monty Python's Life of Brian" between the Judean People's Front, the Judean Popular People's Front and the People's Front of Judea. But the issue is deadly serious to speakers of Cornish.

Synonyms for picayune

Antonyms for picayune

Related Words

Word Forms

• picayunes
• more picayune
• most picayune

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

Practice and Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions