peccadillo
/ˌpɛ.kəˈdɪ.ləʊ/
Group 27Difficulty 2/3
Definition
- (noun)
- A small, relatively unimportant offense or sin GRE
Example in Context
What the executive dismissed as a mere peccadillo—an unreported gift from a contractor—was viewed by regulators as a serious ethical violation.
Synonyms
minor faultsmall sinslip
Etymology
A small sin or minor fault.
- peccare (Latin) — to sin
- dillo (Spanish) — little
Memory Aid
🍪Sounds like “peccadillo”
Eating one COOKIE is a PECCADILLO, but stealing the whole jar is a CRIME!
Visual Association
😇An angel nibbling on a cookie while looking around guiltily, as if they've committed a tiny sin.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “peccadillo” mean on the GRE?
peccadillo (noun) means “A small, relatively unimportant offense or sin”. What the executive dismissed as a mere peccadillo—an unreported gift from a contractor—was viewed by regulators as a serious ethical violation.
How to remember “peccadillo” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “peccadillo” sounds like “peccadillo”. Eating one COOKIE is a PECCADILLO, but stealing the whole jar is a CRIME!
What are synonyms for “peccadillo”?
Common synonyms: minor fault, small sin, slip.