Peccadillo
/ˌpɛkəˈdɪloʊ/
nounC2
Definition
A peccadillo is a little error or bad behavior that is not very serious. It is often something people forgive easily because it is small and not harmful. The word is used to talk about small faults in someone's character or actions.
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See It in Action
A small fault or mistake in behavior or character
- •Forgetting to return a phone call is a peccadillo, not a big offense.
- •Everyone has peccadillos; no one is perfect.
- •She apologized for her peccadillo of being late once.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "peccadillo" like "mistake," but a very small or light one—not a big problem
- ✓Picture a tiny crack in a glass—noticeable but not breaking the glass or causing big damage
- ✓It's the feeling when someone forgets to say hello, not rude but a small slip
- ✓Sounds like "peck-a-DEE-lo" → imagine a little bird (peck) making a small, harmless mistake
- ✓Think of stories where a character makes a small error but is still a good person overall
- ✓NOT like "crime" (very serious and harmful), "peccadillo" is minor and easy to forgive
- ✓NOT like "habit" (something repeated often), "peccadillo" is usually a single small fault
- ✓NOT like "sin" (religious or serious moral wrong), "peccadillo" is a light, less serious fault
Try Other Words
- •Fault: a small error or weakness (Use when focusing on a person's minor weakness or error)
- •Slip: a small, accidental mistake (Use when the error is accidental and not serious)
- •Minor offense: a small wrong action (Use when emphasizing the action is wrong but not serious)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: (none clear in English, borrowed whole)
- •Etymology: From Spanish "pecadillo," a diminutive of "pecado" meaning "sin" or "fault"
- •Historical development: Entered English in the 17th century meaning a small or slight sin or fault
- •Modern usage: Used mainly in formal or literary language to describe minor faults or mistakes, often with a light or forgiving tone
Reflect & Connect
•Can you think of a time when a small peccadillo caused a misunderstanding but was quickly forgiven?
•How do small peccadillos affect relationships compared to bigger mistakes?
Fill in the blanks
1.A peccadillo is usually ___ a serious crime or sin but a small error.
2.People often forgive a peccadillo because it does not ___ much harm.
3.Unlike a habit, a peccadillo is usually a ___ mistake or fault.
4.Saying a wrong name once is a peccadillo, but doing it every day would be a ___.
5.When someone has many peccadillos, it might show they need to ___ their behavior.
6.She called forgetting the meeting a peccadillo, meaning it was ___ important.
7.A peccadillo can sometimes be ___ by others if it happens rarely and without bad intent.