peccadillo

[pek-uh-dil-oh] / ˌpɛk əˈdɪl oʊ /

NOUN

small fault

Synonyms

STRONGEST

impropriety indiscretion

STRONG

misdemeanor vice

WEAK

bad habit faux pas minor fault minor infraction minor sin petty offense slight transgression small infraction small sin venial sin

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"Scotland has one peccadillo and that is Cardinal O'Brien," he says.

From BBC • May 7, 2025

A love of disinformation is the peccadillo that springs from bigotry, not the other way around.

From Salon • Jul. 13, 2022

But at L.S.U., about the only unpardonable peccadillo is failing to win.

From New York Times • Oct. 18, 2021

This is not a whimsical peccadillo to be written off against the backdrop of an otherwise progressive outlook.

From Slate • Nov. 8, 2018

If Miss Roscoe viewed that peccadillo so seriously, what would she say to the tale which her pupil had to unfold?

From The Youngest Girl in the Fifth A School Story by Davis, Stanley

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