Petite vs. Short
Edited by Sumera Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on September 28, 2023
Petite refers to having a small, slender build, usually used for women, while short denotes lesser height or length, applicable to people, objects, or time.
Key Differences
Petite and short are terms often used to describe stature, but they have distinct connotations and usages. "Petite" is primarily used to describe women who are short in height but also have a small, proportionate build. It is often related to clothing sizes that are designed to fit women of smaller stature, focusing not only on height but also on overall body proportions. On the other hand, "short" is a more generic term that simply refers to a measurement that is less than average, be it height, length, or duration. It can apply to people, objects, or time periods and does not imply any specific body proportions.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023
In the context of language use, "petite" tends to have a more positive or neutral connotation, often associated with elegance and delicacy, especially when referring to women. "Short" can be neutral, positive, or negative based on the context, describing lack of length or height in people, objects, or durations, and can be used to imply insufficiency or inadequacy in certain situations.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 28, 2023
When referring to individuals, "petite" implies a specific body type along with shorter height, typically characterized by a slender, delicate frame, and well-proportioned features. It’s a term more exclusive to the fashion and clothing industry, used to denote special sizing for women under 5'4". In contrast, "short" describes individuals who are below the average height, irrespective of gender, build, or proportions. It does not specify any other physical characteristics and is not exclusive to the fashion industry.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023
"Petite" has a more specialized and narrow application, mainly used in the context of women's apparel, emphasizing the fit and proportions suitable for smaller builds. It is more about the combination of height and proportions, providing an overall aesthetic appeal. "Short," meanwhile, has a broader and more versatile application, being used to describe anything lacking in length or duration, such as short hair, short distance, or short movie, making it a more universally applicable term.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023
Comparison Chart
Definition
Refers to a small, slender, well-proportioned build, usually in women.
Describes lesser height, length, or duration.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023
Application
Specific to women's clothing and body type.
Universal, applies to people, objects, and time.
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Sep 28, 2023
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Connotation
Positive or neutral, associated with elegance and delicacy.
Can be neutral, positive, or negative based on context.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023
Context
Mainly in fashion and apparel, referring to a specific body type.
Broad, referring to any lack of length or height.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023
Proportion
Includes consideration of body proportions.
Does not consider proportions, focuses on length or height.
Samantha Walker
Sep 28, 2023
Petite and Short Definitions
Petite
Referring to a specific clothing size for short women.
She found a gorgeous dress in the petite section.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023
Short
Measuring a small distance from end to end.
He took a short route to reach the destination.
Janet White
Sep 28, 2023
Petite
Having a small, slender, and well-proportioned figure.
She looked elegant in petite clothing suited to her frame.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023
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Petite
Characterized by delicacy or diminutive size.
The petite flowers adorned the table beautifully.
Samantha Walker
Sep 28, 2023
Petite
Small in size and amount.
She has a petite appetite and eats very selectively.
Samantha Walker
Sep 28, 2023
Short
Abrupt or concise in expression or statement.
He gave a short reply to the lengthy question.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 28, 2023
Petite
Designed to fit women who are shorter than average.
The petite section offers a variety of stylish outfits.
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Sep 28, 2023
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Petite
Small in size or scope; tiny
“a bagel that is fairly petite by today's standards” (Ed Levine).
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023
Petite
Very small;
Diminutive in stature
A lilliputian chest of drawers
Her petite figure
Tiny feet
The flyspeck nation of Bahrain moved toward democracy
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Jan 09, 2023
Short
Holding a trading position that is inversely related to the price of a security or index
Short investors.
An investor who is short gold.
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Jan 09, 2023
Short
(Linguistics) Of, relating to, or being a speech sound of relatively brief duration, as the first vowel sound in the Latin word mălus, "evil," as compared with the same or a similar sound of relatively long duration, as the first vowel sound in the Latin word mālus, "apple tree."
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023
Short
(Grammar) Of, relating to, or being a vowel sound in English, such as the vowel sound (ă) in pat or () in put, that is descended from a vowel of brief duration.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023
Short
Being of relatively brief duration. Used of a syllable in quantitative prosody.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023
Short
At a point before a given boundary, limit, or goal
A missile that landed short of the target.
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Jan 09, 2023
Short
Shorts A byproduct of wheat processing that consists of germ, bran, and coarse meal or flour.
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Jan 09, 2023
Short
Shorts Clippings or trimmings that remain as byproducts in various manufacturing processes, often used to make an inferior variety of the product.
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Jan 09, 2023
Short
Having a small distance from one end or edge to another, either horizontally or vertically.
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Jan 09, 2023
Short
Having little duration.
Our meeting was a short six minutes today. Every day for the past month it’s been at least twenty minutes long.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023
Short
(followed by for) Of a word or phrase, constituting an abbreviation (for another) or shortened form (of another).
"Phone" is short for "telephone" and "asap" short for "as soon as possible".
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023
Short
(gambling) Of betting odds, offering a small return for the money wagered.
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Jan 09, 2023
Short
Brittle, crumbly. See shortbread, shortcake, shortcrust, shortening, hot short, cold-short.
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Jan 09, 2023
Short
Abrupt; brief; pointed; petulant.
He gave a short answer to the question.
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Jan 09, 2023
Short
Limited in quantity; inadequate; insufficient; scanty.
A short supply of provisions
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Jan 09, 2023
Short
Insufficiently provided; inadequately supplied, especially with money; scantily furnished; lacking.
To be short of money
I'd lend you the cash but I'm a little short at present.
The cashier came up short ten dollars on his morning shift.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023
Short
Deficient; less; not coming up to a measure or standard.
An account which is short of the truth
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Jan 09, 2023
Short
(finance) Being in a financial investment position that is structured to be profitable if the price of the underlying security declines in the future.
Short position
I'm short in General Motors because I think their sales are plunging.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023
Short
Of money: given in the fewest possible notes, i.e. those of the largest denomination.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023
Short
Abruptly, curtly, briefly.
They had to stop short to avoid hitting the dog in the street.
He cut me short repeatedly in the meeting.
The boss got a message and cut the meeting short.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023
Short
Without achieving a goal or requirement.
His speech fell short of what was expected.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023
Short
Relatively far from the batsman and hence bouncing higher than normal; opposite of full.
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Jan 09, 2023
Short
(finance) With a negative ownership position.
We went short most finance companies in July.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023
Short
A short version of a garment in a particular size.
38 short suits fit me right off the rack.
Do you have that size in a short?
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Jan 09, 2023
Short
(baseball) A shortstop.
Jones smashes a grounder between third and short.
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Jan 09, 2023
Short
(finance) A short seller.
The market decline was terrible, but the shorts were buying champagne.
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Jan 09, 2023
Short
(finance) A short sale or short position.
He closed out his short at a modest loss after three months.
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Jan 09, 2023
Short
(programming) An integer variable having a smaller range than normal integers; usually two bytes long.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023
Short
To provide with a smaller than agreed or labeled amount.
This is the third time I’ve caught them shorting us.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023
Short
To sell something, especially securities, that one does not own at the moment for delivery at a later date in hopes of profiting from a decline in the price; to sell short.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023
Short
Deficient in.
We are short a few men on the second shift.
He's short common sense.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023
Short
(finance) Having a negative position in.
I don’t want to be short the market going into the weekend.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023
Short
Not long; having brief length or linear extension; as, a short distance; a short piece of timber; a short flight.
The bed is shorter than that a man can stretch himself on it.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023
Short
Not extended in time; having very limited duration; not protracted; as, short breath.
The life so short, the craft so long to learn.
To short absense I could yield.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023
Short
Limited in quantity; inadequate; insufficient; scanty; as, a short supply of provisions, or of water.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023
Short
Insufficiently provided; inadequately supplied; scantily furnished; lacking; not coming up to a resonable, or the ordinary, standard; - usually with of; as, to be short of money.
We shall be short in our provision.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023
Short
Deficient; defective; imperfect; not coming up, as to a measure or standard; as, an account which is short of the trith.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023
Short
Not distant in time; near at hand.
Marinell was sore offendedThat his departure thence should be so short.
He commanded those who were appointed to attend him to be ready by a short day.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023
Short
Limited in intellectual power or grasp; not comprehensive; narrow; not tenacious, as memory.
Their own short understandings reachNo farther than the present.
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Jan 09, 2023
Short
Less important, efficaceous, or powerful; not equal or equivalent; less (than); - with of.
Hardly anything short of an invasion could rouse them again to war.
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Jan 09, 2023
Short
Abrupt; brief; pointed; petulant; as, he gave a short answer to the question.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023
Short
Not prolonged, or relatively less prolonged, in utterance; - opposed to long, and applied to vowels or to syllables. In English, the long and short of the same letter are not, in most cases, the long and short of the same sound; thus, the i in ill is the short sound, not of i in isle, but of ee in eel, and the e in pet is the short sound of a in pate, etc. See Quantity, and Guide to Pronunciation, 22, 30.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023
Short
The part of milled grain sifted out which is next finer than the bran.
The first remove above bran is shorts.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023
Short
A short sound, syllable, or vowel.
If we compare the nearest conventional shorts and longs in English, as in "bit" and "beat," "not" and "naught," we find that the short vowels are generally wide, the long narrow, besides being generally diphthongic as well. Hence, originally short vowels can be lengthened and yet kept quite distinct from the original longs.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023
Short
In a short manner; briefly; limitedly; abruptly; quickly; as, to stop short in one's course; to turn short.
He was taken up very short, and adjudged corrigible for such presumptuous language.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023
Short
Accidental contact between two points in an electric circuit that have a potential difference
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Jan 09, 2023
Short
The fielding position of the player on a baseball team who is stationed between 2nd and 3rd base
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Jan 09, 2023
Short
Primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration;
A short life
A short flight
A short holiday
A short story
Only a few short months
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Jan 09, 2023
Short
Primarily spatial sense; having little length or lacking in length;
Short skirts
Short hair
The board was a foot short
A short toss
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Jan 09, 2023
Short
Low in stature; not tall;
His was short and stocky
Short in stature
A short smokestack
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Jan 09, 2023
Short
Not sufficient to meet a need;
An inadequate income
A poor salary
Money is short
On short rations
Food is in short supply
Short on experience
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023
Short
Not holding securities or commodities that one sells in expectation of a fall in prices;
A short sale
Short in cotton
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Jan 09, 2023
Short
Of speech sounds (especially vowels) of relatively short duration (as e.g. the English vowel sounds in `pat', `pet', `pit', `pot', putt')
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023
Short
Containing a large amount of shortening; therefore tender and easy to crumble or break into flakes;
Shortbread is a short crumbly cookie
A short flaky pie crust
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Jan 09, 2023
Short
Less than the correct or legal or full amount often deliberately so;
A light pound
A scant cup of sugar
Regularly gives short weight
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Jan 09, 2023
Short
Lacking foresight or scope;
A short view of the problem
Shortsighted policies
Shortsighted critics derided the plan
Myopic thinking
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Jan 09, 2023
Short
Marked by rude or peremptory shortness;
Try to cultivate a less brusque manner
A curt reply
The salesgirl was very short with him
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023
Short
Without possessing something at the time it is contractually sold;
He made his fortune by selling short just before the crash
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023
Short
At some point or distance before a goal is reached;
He fell short of our expectations
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023
Short
In a curt, abrupt and discourteous manner;
He told me curtly to get on with it
He talked short with everyone
He said shortly that he didn't like it
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 09, 2023
FAQs
Can short describe duration as well as height?
Yes, short can describe anything lacking in length, height, or duration.
Samantha Walker
Sep 28, 2023
Does petite specifically refer to women’s stature and build?
Yes, petite refers to women who are short with a small and well-proportioned build.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023
Can short be used to describe both genders?
Yes, short can describe individuals of any gender who are below average height.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023
Does petite always imply a slender build?
Generally, petite refers to a small, slender, and proportionate build, but it primarily denotes shorter height.
Harlon Moss
Sep 28, 2023
Is petite mainly used in the fashion and clothing industry?
Yes, petite is primarily used in fashion to describe clothing sizes for shorter women with smaller builds.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023
Is the term petite exclusive to women?
Typically, yes, petite is used to describe women with a short and slender build.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 28, 2023
Does petite refer to specific clothing sizes?
Yes, petite refers to specific clothing sizes designed to fit women who are shorter and have a smaller build.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023
Can petite also refer to small quantities or amounts?
Yes, petite can describe anything small in size or amount, such as a petite serving of food.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 28, 2023
Can short describe concise expressions or statements?
Yes, short can also refer to abrupt or concise expressions or statements.
Samantha Walker
Sep 28, 2023
Is short applicable to objects as well as people?
Yes, short can describe the length or height of objects, people, or the duration of time.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 28, 2023
Is the term petite derived from the French language?
Yes, the term petite is derived from French, meaning small or little.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 28, 2023
Can short have a negative connotation in some contexts?
Yes, short can imply insufficiency or inadequacy and have a negative connotation in some situations.
Janet White
Sep 28, 2023
Is short a more universally applicable term than petite?
Yes, short is a versatile term that can describe height, length, or duration in various contexts.
Samantha Walker
Sep 28, 2023
Is petite associated with elegance and delicacy?
Often, petite is associated with a sense of elegance and delicacy, especially in the context of women.
Samantha Walker
Sep 28, 2023
Can short refer to a measurement of distance?
Yes, short can describe a small distance from end to end, like a short route or distance.
Harlon Moss
Sep 28, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Sumera SaeedSumera is an experienced content writer and editor with a niche in comparative analysis. At Diffeence Wiki, she crafts clear and unbiased comparisons to guide readers in making informed decisions. With a dedication to thorough research and quality, Sumera's work stands out in the digital realm. Off the clock, she enjoys reading and exploring diverse cultures.
