Pet Peeve - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

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SKIP TO CONTENT pet peeve /pɛt piv/ /pɛt piv/ IPA guide

Other forms: pet peeves

A pet peeve is a particular thing that bugs you every time. If your pet peeve is how people misuse words, you’re in the right place.

A peeve is an annoyance, and a pet peeve is an annoyance that’s nurtured like a pet — it's something someone can never resist complaining about. There are all kinds of pet peeves, like littering, misusing punctuation, driving slowly in the fast lane, or talking during movies. If something like that drives you crazy and you have to yap about it, it's a pet peeve. Pet peeves tend to be smaller issues. No one would call terrorism a pet peeve.

Definitions of pet peeve

noun an opportunity for complaint that is seldom missed “grammatical mistakes are his pet peeve” see moresee less type of: complaint an expression of grievance or resentment

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Copy citation DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘pet peeve'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback Word Family

Vocabulary lists containing pet peeve

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